HORSESHOE. BEND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 158, 16 February 1871, Page 6

HORSESHOE. BEND.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — In your issue of the 2nd inst. a Correspondent, " Fair Play," favours the public with an extremely rich effusion in reference to the Horseshoe Bend Post-ofilce. As one of those who convened the

meeting of which he complains so

much, I would like to know how he K-eameK -came by his information. There is only one way of dealing with such a scurvy scribbler, that is by telling him ■that he has deliberately contorted the •circumstances connected with a public

:xuatter, in order to gratify the feeling of a cowardly and malignant spirit. His letter, warp and woof, js a tissue of deliberate lies.

In the first place, he has made a cowardly attack upon a man in every sense his superior, and who, instead ot being a candidate for postal honours, did not, and oouid not, know of the intended meeting, As to hanging about the door of the house where the meeting was held, this might be in keeping with your correspondent's principles, but certainly not with those of the person whom he has gone so out of hia way to vilify,

With respect to the petition for the i^emoval of the post-office beiug hawked about, it is like his other assertion — another lie, As to there being any unfriendly feeling conneoted with the matter, this is simply another lie.

The objeot of those who originated the affair was merely to make arrangements to get their letters, &c, delivered at the river side foi* something like a reasonable remuneration, and, failing this, to get the office removed to a more convenient position, us I suppose it was established for che public convenience, and not, as your correspondent seems to think, for the special benefit of any individual. With respect to the particular objeot of your correspondent's cowardly enmity, those acquainted with him are well aware that anything of the kind imputed to him by "Fair Play" is utterly beneath him, and he is certainly held in very different estimation from

that in which your correspondent is, unless I am sadly deceived in that individual's identity. I may state for the benefit of " 'Fair Play," that some of us at least qxq nob ignorant of the cause of his venom, as it is pretty generally understood that the object of his rancour on one occasion spoilt a very pretty game in connection with the Island Block, "which your correspondent went in for winning. If I might take the liberty of tendering a faw words of advice to " Fair Play," it would be to imitate in all respects the object of his spleen, but this is alike beyond his ability and against his nature. ' With respect to tlie counter-petition

being numerously signed, I cannot "see

what he or his employer has to boast of. It was merely stating that

there whs no fault found with the

conduct of those in charge of the postoffice ; it was at best only negative praise, and might very well be signed

by those who originated the affair, and who still wish for the removal of the post-office, as the complaint was against the position and not against those in charge of it.

I was one of those who originated the matter. I signed the petition which was hawked amongst the shanties, and still wish the office to be removed, as I think it will be. Further, I was at the meeting ; I saw and heard everything that passed, and I very distinctly declared that the report which appeared in your journal was a true, honest, and sfcraightforwai'd account of what took place, -.as from first to last there was not one • single word said in favour of keeping the post office in its present position, for the simple reason, not a word could be said, We wanted it in the Bend, and if not there at Mr. Knowles as the next most convenient place; and let me tell " Fair Play " that some of those who were present would have considerable hesitation in allowing their letters, <fee, to be entrusted to his care, and among them would be

NONPARIEL.