MR GIRDWOOD IN REPLY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1972, 23 April 1885, Page 2

MR GIRDWOOD IN REPLY.

TO THE EDITOR. SiR-—I had intended to haye treated your remarks in yesterday's issue with the silent contempt which they deserved, but on further consideration it would seem to me cowardly to allow' such a tissue of unfair accusations to pass unchallenged, the only fair sentenco in the wliolo of your leader is "a man who cannot think and act for himself is not fit to- hold a position of trust, whether , paid or honorary." This Shy is the only fine sentence in the whole insulting jumble, and I defy you, or any other one, to show where I think or act by proxy. I generally do all my own thinking, but if I find other thoughts moro in unison with the requirements of the times I 'am surely allowed to make use of them withouf' jL ing myself open to the accusation ottwK -of no principle. It is really-a blessifl for Masterton that they have such sterling men in the Trust. Why do you not get an Act of Parliament passed so they may get the most suitable men in ; you might be able to do without the needlesplteuble and expenso of electing new mefljlrs j besides, you might come to some arrangement with nature's laws, and do away with the necessity of change. It seenu to your antideluvian ideas that we have reached the highest point of excellence in the Town Lands Trustees, and it would be mere factious folly on the part of any one to come forward to contest the election. I can quite understand the Daily advocating a standstill policy ; their ideas have got fossilised, and any attempt to' march on with the requirements of the times so racks the whole stiff joints, that in Bheer desperation they hit out right and left at friend and foe, if oidy they can thus gain their own ends. I am of opinion that after the last meeting'of the Trust there need be no further proof of the necessity of infusing some life into what has become a matter of such . utter indifference. Considering the importance of the Trust it argues but little for the present Trustees. that they were so conspicuous by thjje absence. _ 1 am quite willing to allow tw public to judge whether 1 have endeavored to: do my duty in the past, and .also whether they consider 1 may be able to further their interests in the future, I cannot see that by allowing myself to be nominated I have in any way endeavored to throw discredit on the Trustees, individually or as a body. Certain oMjifications are necessary to allow meße privilege of coining forward, I possess these qualifications, and have decided to allow the electors b decide whether they consider me capable of doing my duty in attending tn their best interests,- .. lam, &c. T. P. Gikdwood.

[Mr Girdwood's letter is couched in such improper terms that wo should have been perfectly justified in refusing it insertion; but as he appears to feel himself aggrieved, we will not refuse him an bppoitunity of having his say, although he cannot express himself except in intemperate language, He has furnished us with a remarkable proof of his habit of thinking and acting for himself, for the manuscript bears a . most auspicious appearance of having • been revised by the chief whoso sway lie endeavors to disclaim. The fact ho failed to attend the general meeting, yet immediately afterwards was announced as a candidate, gives tlio electors a good insight as to the extont of his interest in the management of the Trust.—Ed. W.D.I