ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 15, 23 May 1868, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Our Correspondence Column is open to the temperate discussion of questions of publio interest ; but we do not in any way identify ourselves with the opinions expressed by our Correspondents. All letters must be accompanied by the writer's name and address, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

(To tJw Editor of the Tuapeka Times). Sir, — In your last is,sue " Right Honest " made his appearance, and I gave him a hearty welcome, and have much pleasure to inform him that I have got my cow and steer, but they wer.6 not returned to me as would be inferred from his letter, but brought by my son after he went and searched for them, on being informed by Mr. Smith, Inspector of Slaughteryards, that some cattle answering their description wera about Mount Stewart. I may say that lam proud we have now such a man as Mr. Smith in this district, and I hope there are a, few more like him here who can make themselves worthy of a reward. lam exceedingly obliged to "Right Honest " for reminding me of my legal debts — he might, however, have left that to my conscience— still, for his information I would state that before his letter appeared the reward was where it should be without my being reminded of it by him. It is quite possible that my first letter annoyed " Right Honest " because I did^ not point him out as an honest man, "but that did not suit my purpose then. But allowing him to be all that his name comprehends, he is no more than he and all others besides ought to be, and were this the case the country would be saved the expense of the Bell Hill establishment. " Right Honest " would no doubt like to take'advantage of two beasts turniug up that were believed to be slaughtered, although these two do not bear the propoi* tion of one to fifty of cattle which have ' "one amissing in this and the surrounding districts f*r the last two or three years, and have never turned up. As I take " Right Honest " to be a slaughterman, he will doubtless have heaj -»s_ much about the businesS^whrcn^Bas been done in aattle stealing as other people have heard. If I am wrong in' judging his profession, it matters lift] 4 an( j j t will not surprise me if he hismffered a little before now on account a cheap body occasionally dropping inifcl le mar _ ket. I would ask him wlic "George Cameron's eighteen head -of it cattle went to, likewise Mr. Cable's rW j, u |_ locks, and Poison's, Sutherland! son's, Hunter's, Chalmers', my o twenty others besides. Did all 1 lost by these people go away of then »,... accord, or do their owners believe that they were not slaughtered? I rather think they believe the cattle were slaughtered, and allowing "Right Honest " to think differently, it is only a difference of opinion. I think I was quite justified in believing that my two head of cattle had gone, as others before them. We generally find that people are dissatisfied when they are deprived of a freedom which they have long enjoyed, but when by depriving a few of an unmerited freedom we confer a benefit on the community at large, then the few ought certainly not to grumble. I think every cattle owner in the district will be glad with me, that there is a new screw put in which will prevent the saute number of oattle going the same road for the next three years to come, and although it may not please all, still I have so much confidence in it that I have dispensed with the services of one horse. In conclusion, I think my friend will admit that it was high time a stop was put to. such a nefarious practice, and begging his pardon I would ask him to prove to me that even slaughtermen are exempt. — I am, &c, Peter Robertson.

(To the Editor of the Ttiapeka Times.) Sir, — Upwards of £50 was collected by a committee for the defence, &c., of the case Blundell v. Robertson, and as no account has been given of the expenditure of the same, I should like to know how the amount has been disposed of, or if it is still in the hands of the committee. I think it is only right that thi» information should be communicated to the subscribers. — I^m, &c, A Subscriber to the Ftnre>.

(To tlie Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sir, — In your last issue, I see a letter signed "An Irishman;" and as it reflects on a letter signed by me in your former issue, I will trouble you for a small ipace in your paper for the following reply, more particularly as I am given to understand that I am expected to do so. I have only to iaythat it is a maxim of mine not to reply to anonymous letters in any case ; and even if I had not made up my mind 'to such a course, I should have treated it with the contempt it deserves (on account of its base insinuations); and, in my opinion, instead of being an Irishman who wrote it, he is only a spalpeen. And I will undertake to answer him if he will only send me his name', with permission to publish it, *s it is my usual custom to meet my manface to face.— l am, &c, John Donovjjj^