OLD PETER PIPER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 1, Issue 14, 16 May 1868, Page 3

OLD PETER PIPER.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.)

Sir, — Tour correspondent " Civis," in last Saturday's issue, charges me with writing maliciously in regard to the " Bank-in-Aid Company," brought forth as a leader in a former number of your valuable paper. Your correspondent must be ogle-eyed in charging me with malice in my remarks ; but it is usual with the clas3 to which your correspondent belongs — that ia, the highly speculative class — to spurn any idea, or reject any other opinion which clashes with their theory. I shall pass over the low, contemptible language used towards myself, as being altogether unworthy of a great man, or a great cause. I have, however, not gone beyond the proper bounds by which a gentleman is known, by giving and receiving that courtesy which allows to each a margin for bringing before the public their relative ideas. My object in calling the attention of the mining community to the scheme was simply to elicit information on the subject ; and probably your correspondent will remember that I did not condemn the Bcheme, but merely gave the note of warning. Perhaps your correspondent will issue his prospectus, and then we may consider what defects (if any), and what other plan will be more feasible. The mining public are no longer the wild I speculators they were wont to be ; they see now the necessity of impounding every drop of water, and utilising it for the purpose of severing the precious ore from the dross; and they are equally alive to the necessity of making the best use of the precious metal when extracted ; and if it can be shown that we can with safety make a trifle by a more cheap and economical system of' Banking, and if the time is arrived for the "establishment of such an institution, none will rejoice more than I. But let "Civis" beware that we don't find in him a broken-down banker, or perhaps he will find in me a power (I speak not egotistically) to expose a sham. It is shams which has made me sharp ; and I may tell " Civis " that I am now smarting under the keen disappointment ; and let me tell him that I am not soft enough to run after any will-o'-the-wisp which may look very beguiling, but which may lead to fatal results. Let " Civia " propound his scheme, and then we shall (notwithstanding the soft place sneeringly mentioned by "Civis") be able to look into it, and possibly to look through it ; and if it is a scheme that will bear a feasibility on the face of it, I shall content myself by advancing to the rear, and give " Civis " the high honor of being the wise man.

Your readers will recollect, that upon the last occasion when I had the honor of my friend Sandy's company, that we left one of the oldest sons of the |ChjH;ch in the hands of the police ; and fthatwe should, upon a future occasion, look out for the spiritual, in order that theVpoor unfortunate might be restored again to the fold in the spirit of meek-

ness. Having met my invaluable friend at the late Bolted, at the Presbyterian

Church, we arranged that we should meet at my house at ten o'clock precisely next day. I came home and made my arrangements, knowing that none of the " faithful " had even called upon him, and that his " wounds" were still undressed, and had not received the balsam of consolation, though surrounded by the " pious brethren "of his. own church. I began to think very seriously of the magnitude of the work we had undertaken, and made provision accordingly. I thought seriously of making my will, and leaving my " claim " to some orphan institution (my own family being already provided for). Upon further consideration, I did not do this, as I thought it possible that I would not be away over twelve months. I took the precaution, however, to pack up two changes of raiment, and an outer covering, or " garment of praise." With these, and being well shod with the " preparity of the gospel of peace," and being well fortified with " all prayer," I waited the coming of Sandy, who, I am happy to say, was up to his time. The usual salutation being passed, I enquired where his luggage waa. "What luggage 1 ?" quoth Sandy. " Why, a change of raiment : two pairs of boots and a top coat at the least." "How long do you think to be away, Peter?" "Not less than a twelvemonth, Sandy. I don't think that we shall get the article we require under that time." Sandy broke out into an unconquerable fit, something between laughter and anger. He would stake his office in the Church that we should find the real " Simon Pure " in less than an hour. He being so confident, and knowing these Church people better than I did, I gave way to his superior knowledge, suggesting, however that we had better take a lantern and candle with us. But Sandy assured me that there was not the slightest occasion, as we should not have the slightest difficulty in the object of our mission. So we agreed to make a short detour ; and in going along, Sandy, who undertook the office of pilot, said, " The first gentleman we will call upon is one

' quite up to the mark ;' is a successful merchant ; is an elder of the kirk ; and has given a hundred pounds towards the building of a new church, and fifty pounds towards a manse, and is, indeed, Al for every good word and work." This, thought I, looks very fair ; and I had some hopes of ending our mission where we were to begin. However, as we entered this gentleman's office, and had, as I then considered a very courteous introduction, I thought we were just in the nick of time, before the bustle of the day began ; and the gentldman himself looked so bland — indeed his look was very much in his favor. He had a fine, open countenance, rather portly, and looked like a man who took kindly to his "rations." But no sooner had Sandy mentioned the object of our visit, than this fine, portly, bland Christain gentleman suddenly recollected that he was too busy to talk upon the subject to-day ; would be delighted to see us another day; and we were very politely " bowed out." My friend Sandy evidently was a little chagrined at the result of our interview, as I fancy he had made up his mind not to go any further. " Now," saya Sandy, walking a little briskly, "I have it. Here, in this large store is one of our Committee, and a fine fellow he is too." But just as we were going up the steps, I heard some one say, " Here's old Peter ; we'll make him 'shout.'" And it ap- ! peared evident that there had been more than one " shout" among the five or bix gentlemen in the store. So, I hinted to Sandy that here they were too "spiritual," and not of the right sort. So, away we went further down the street. "Well," says Sandy, "now I am sure this gentleman is also a storekeeper ; he does not sell grog, nor keep it ; he is a 'teetotaller of the first water ; attends the Church regularly; makes an excellent prayer ; would do you good to hear him ; visits the sick, and gets the name «f being very charitable." Sandy made sure here ; and I was much impressed also, that if there was a saint out of Heaven, he was one; and just as my friend had mooted

to him the object of our visit, a young man, a very smart fellow, came out of the back store with a sample of manufactured butter, which he handed to his principal, whispering (as he saw that he was watched) whether he Bhould brand the kegs " Canterbury." The pious principal shook his head, as much as to say — " No, it would hardly do for ' Canterbury ;' it would be detected. You can brand it ' Woollangong.' " He said, "I beg pardon for keeping you so long, Sandy ; but what is the case you speak of 1 " And certainly my friend told him all. " Ah," aaid he, " if he cannot take his own part, and keep it among thieves, he is not fit for me. My clerks are all smart men ;

have ' colonial experience ;' and will

stick at nothing." " Come away, Sandy," said I ; " this is not the place yet." But I should weary you with a narrative of the many places we visited ; of the various excuses for keeping their pockets buttoned up; and were about turning home wearied with our search, fatigued and hungry, when it occurred to us that we should try a lower " strata." It is not always that the precious metal is found on the surface ; and miners are often rewarded by deep sinking (I shall not instance our deep shaft). So, likewise, true piety and unostentatious | Christianity is to be found among the poor of the world ; and cheered by this thought, we turned into a back street, and had not proceeded far before we heard »n altercation between a husband

and wife. She had been married scarce!} twelve months, and he had hardly spen an evening at home ; and the poor youn< thing beseeched imploringly that hi would remain at home for one night that she had got a most interesting booL »vhich she wished him to read to her ; ohat the parlor was neat and clean, and a good fire in it. She was sure there was not such good accommodation at "Jones's." But all her inducements appeared to have as little effect as throwing water upon a drowned rat. He had lost upwards of five pounds last night, and he must try to get it back again to-night, and something more. So away he went ; and the dear little wife wrung her hands as if in despair, uttering a terrible curse upon the keepers of biUiard-TOoms-^We turned into the next door, where we foundj^an old woman perusing a very " ancient book," from which she evidently derived much pleasure, as her eye beamed with delight, while a tear stole down her cheek, as she contrasted her position with the devotees of pleasure and fashion. Apprising her of the object of our search, she looked up very composedly, and very innocently " regretted that we had loat our way." She said that she was poor and friendless ; nevertheless, she would undertake to dress the young man's wounds, and pour the balsam of consolation into his wounded spirit. So, having found the good Samaritan, we got on our way rejoicing, that the poor not only hear the gospel preached to them, but have made the best use of it, by giving practical effect to what they have received. I must now, however, draw this series of letters to a close, as my time is of some importance to myself ; and I fear 1 have not effected much in contrasting the difference between church religion and bible religion. In this, and my previous letters, I think I have shown that wo are drifting to sea without our chart, and without observing the beacons erected for the safe navigation of this life, or that our papers are made out for the world which is to come. I would earnestly and affectionately counsel my fellow- voyagers to look well to their " sailing orders." Before I close this letter, I beg to return my best thanks to the editor of the " Tuapekfc Times," for placing so much of his valuable space at my disposal. I should like to see the day when the Pulpit and the Press will combine to raise the moral standard of the people of this colony. We should soon be in a position to say^of the moral as we certainly can say of the material world, that— Where flax and fern and wild scrub grew, There corn and fruit and flowers abound. —lam, &c, Old Paxaa Pips*. Wetherstone'i Braes, April 21st, 1868.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times). Sir, — While I admit that Mr. Donovan was actuated by the best motives, I consider that he w»uld have better served his friends by not asking you to give a place in your paper to his letter and O'Farrell's confession. He says — "It will prove that there was no organisation." Let us see. When O'Farrell was brought before the Magistrate, and charged with the crime, he said — " The task of executing the Prince was sent out to me ; but I failed, and I am very sorry that I did fail. That is all I have to say." This he repeated when asked to do so by the Crown Solicitor. Now, I wish to know if we do not believe that the prisoner told the truth on this occasion, what right have we to believe that he told the truth afterwards, in what is called his confession ? Is it because he was schooled by his spiritual adviser? And why did O'Farrell, before he was executed, give expression to a feeling of satisfaction that the Duke did not go to New Zealand, as he feared that another attempt on his life wonld have been made there 1 Now, I leave these questions for Mr. Donovan to make a deduction from. — lam, &c,

An Irishman.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times).

Sib, — I wish to bring some grievances before the good people of Lawrence. I have to complain strongly of the bad engineering displayed in the work generally performed for the Corporation, and would point out as a proof of my remark the footpath now in course of construction from the bottom of Peel-street down the Beaumont road. I have carefully inspected that piece of road, and find the channel which ought to drain the surface water from the crown of the road to be a great deal higher than any portion of the road, and I wish to ask the Council for what good such a channel can exist. I can neither see use nor ornament in making a footpath higher than the street level — surely it can never be to suit two cottages at the side of the footpath, which lam told belong to a Councillor. The footpath is a secondary matter compared with the channel, made where there never can be water to run, unless it be that the Council have laid out the money in the formation of this channel to carry off the surplus water, and prevent the town from being washed away. It must be acknowledged ' the Council have done more this sitting than was ever asked of them, but still they have left nndone one very important work that every body was in favor of having done at the election time. I refer to the fencing of the old burial ground, I am sorry to say that within a few yards of our doors can be seen this most shameful sight. Are not some of our friends buried there ? And has not a corporation been in existence for nearly two years, and oven now the ground remaims unfenced, and Councillors' horses and,, cattle, aye,

and even pigs are allowed to run over the graves where some of our loved ones are buried. Seeing that this is the proper season for fencing in and also for planting trees, I do sincrely hope that some of the Councillors will give this subject their consideration, and move in tliis matter. The cost would be very small — say L4O or LSO. It is very heartrending to think we put up neat boards in memory of the dead, only to be used as rubbing posts for the Councillors' horses, instead of having them protected by a fenco and a few shrubs.— l am, &c, Quaker.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sir,— ln the "Tuapeka Times," of March 14th, you inserted a letter from Mr. Peter Robertson, regarding the cattle owners meeting, in which that gentleman went out of his way to state that he had not only lest a fine fat rhoan cow branded with a heart, and the letter M and a half circle, and the letter R weighing from 600 to 6301b5,, her steer also about eighteen months old, but that he had no doubt in his own mind that they had been stolen and slaughtered. Now, sir, I am informed that both cow and steer have been found and returned to the owner, and I think the least thing Mr. Robertson could do would be to apologise to the slaughtermen of Tuapeka, through the same medium in which his accusations appeared, for his rash and uncalled for remarks, and also in his own gentlemanly manner to recompense in accordance with his advertisement the person who found the Baid cow and steer. — I am, &c, Right Honest.