MOUNT BENGER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 287, 31 July 1873, Page 8

MOUNT BENGER.

(To the Editor.) Sm, — T have read, without surprise, the letter in your columns last week headed " Roxburgh — from a correspondent." After a laboured and clumsy attempt at ironical commendation of the Warden and Mr. Ireland. M.P.C. your correspondent goes on to say that Mr. Ireland " moved for £1500 for a bridge over the Molyneux," &c. This is not true, although quite in accordance with your correspondent's usual well koown veracity. Mr. Ireland did not make any motion of the kind. It is really remarkable that " a correspondent " should think to continue to throw dust in the eyes of the public as to his identity by commenting on his own letter signed " Anti-Humbug." Why should the Great Apostle of commercial morality resort to such miserable subterfuges. No matter what name he assumes he cannot disguise his personality — the cloven hoof will make itself apparent. Whether writing under his own proper signature or as a " correspondent," "Anti-Humbug" " Benger" " Member of the Progress Committee ' and a host of other aliases — whether dating from Teviot, Mount JBenger, or Alexandra; it is a curious fact that the following subjects crop up with unfailing regularity . 1 Mr. C. Nicholson and the sale of the Island Block. 2 The Mysterious Roxburgh Inquisition Case. 3 Mr. Borton, R.M. — his decisions. 4 Mr. Ireland, M.P.C.— his efforts for the good of the district. 5 Wesleyanism — your correspondent's ardent admiration for it. 6 Your correspondent and what he would do if he were M.P.C. With wearisome iteration, week after^week, we are treated to comments " from grave to gay, from lively to severe," on tlie above subjects. On the two first being even named, they have the s.vme effect on your correspondent's not over-sensitive organism that shaking a red r.ig has on a bull; he rushes on them to his own destruction. As he is learned in the law, he frequently airs his legal lore, and discovers "no end " of mare's nests in the decisions of the Warden. For that gentleman, it is well known, he entertains a feeling of the profoundest respect, coupled with an ardent, although as yet ineffectual, desire to secure his promotion : For Mr. Ireland — well? he simply loves him, and holds him in such high esteem that he would have resigned in his favour at the last moment at the late election, had it not been that his commttee. perversely would not permit him. Tour columns give ample evidence of the genial and considerate manner in which every utterance of Mr. Ireland's is criticised, and with what confidence he (Mr. J.) may reckon upon every action of his for the welfare of his constituency being interpreted in your correspondents well known straightforward unequivocal and honorable style. With regard to the last of his weary round of subjects — Wesleyanism and Egotism — I have no desire to stir up the demon of religious discord by saying in your columns what I think of his unmanly attempt to drag in the name of gentlemen who never in the slightest degree interfered with him, and who desire to live in peace with all men. After all, perhaps your correspondent in exercising his peculiar vocation is merely giving harmless vent to his largely developed organs of combativeness and self-esteem, and serves a useful purpose in our internal economy by preventing the quiet dwellers in Teviot from dropping off into a state of eternal somnolency by his hebdomadal attempts to set them by the ears. " 'Tia his nature to ;" and he is to he pitied, rather than otherwise, that he cannot help his Ishmaelitish proclivities — " his hand against every man and every man's band against; him."

I could quote several favorite phrases conclusively proving the accuracy of my hypothesis as to your correspondent's identity, but I content myself with one instance. The two first lines of his letter to you — " although I have ventured," &c. — points out your correspondent as identical with the individual who penned the address contained in the last of your local paragraphs this week. Strange to say, he again, with his usual humility, "ventures," &c. •In conclusion, I venture to advise your correspondent to look men and matters straight in the face, and as he honestly sees, so let him report. Above all things, let him discontinue his low insinuations. — I am, &c, Moses. Roxburgh, 15th July, 1873.