CORRESPONDENCE.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 41, 24 August 1870, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

j [We do not hold ourselves responsible for ■(he opinions expressed by our correspondents. ] 11; NEVIS PUBLIC LIBRARY. To the Editor of the Cromwell Argus. a recent issue, your Nevis correspondent 1 Some movement has been made towards BLjpcting a public library ; but it will no doubt Kapit-over until the winter is past.” Now, sir, yfTorder that this worthy and enlightened gentleIMian may not mislead the public on this point, Bud others also, allow me to state, through the Biedium of your columns, what has been done Howards this most laudable object, a A preliminary public meeting was held in the glhamrock Hotel on the 24th June, and a comwrpttcc appointed to devise the most eligible mode Ik bribing to a successful issue the resolution ®nvel\’at by the meeting—viz., the erection of to be called “ The Nevis Public Li■'h'raty.” On the 2nd July the committee called meeting, for the purpose of submitting their report. With a few slight alterations, the report was adopted; and a committee of management, consisting of Messrs J. Wright, G. M. Starkey, M. Reddin, W. O’Connell, W. Cowie, W. Masters, W. Brandon, and J. Newton, was elected by ballot. The committee has held three meetings since its appointment; and the result of its labors shews that it has met with every encouragement. Subscription-lists have j been printed and distributed amongst the friends 1 and patrons of literature in Cromwell, Clyde, . and other places ; anil already the lists shew a um of nearly £(SO subscribed towards this most

worthy object. The 'committee expect to bo in a position to communed building as soon as the road over the Garrick Range is passable for bul-lock-drays ; and that the Novis people will be in possession of a public building in every way worthy of the place before the Christmas holidays arrive, no one here has the slightest doubt. It is a groat pity that, in an isolated community like the Nevis, there should be found in our midst men like your Nevis correspondent, who, instead of giving such a movement all the assistance in their power, would rather endeavor to throw cold water on the efforts of those who provide themselves with intellectual amusement to spending all their idle hours in the gin-shops. But this is not the only instance in which your Nevis correspondent has proved unjust to the district in which we suppose he earns a livelihood. For instance, he tells the public, through your columns, that the European population is decreasing fast. Now, with the exception of three “ dead heads, ” who have been in the habit of loafing on the storekeeper four days in the week, and the remaining three on the publican, and whose departure must be a benefit to the district, no person here is aware of any diminution in the European population ; on the contrary, it has not been larger fur the last three years. Hoping you will excuse the length of this epistle, which, in justice to the subject, I could not well curtail, —1 am, &0., A N Evrs Man. BESIDE THE BILLY.” To the Editor of the Cromwell Argus. Sir—The above is the title of a tale which appeared in your issue of the 20th July last. | The tale appears to be written by Mrs Nugent j Wood, from a narrative furnished her by Mr N. | Wood (the Warden at Switzers) of a journey | made by him some few years since to Campbell’s I Gully. Now, as lam mile to figure in a very [conspicuous manner, and am made to give ex. pressiou to a great amount of matter devoid of truth, I feel reluctantly compelled to request that you will give insertion in your paper to a few remarks on the subject. I am rather loth to publish this letter, seeing that the tale is ; written by such a talented authoress ; but your | readers will perceive that my remarks have re- | ference only to the statements made by Mr Wood. | In the first place, I may state that I am the I individual described as “ Dublin Jack.’’ 1 recnl- | lect hearing of Mr Wood’s first visit to Campbell’s | Gully some few years since, where he stayed at I Smith’s tent, near the slaughter-yard at Fetter’s j Gully ; but at this time I was at Switzers. His i second visit was made last summer, in company | with Sergeant Bullen and two others. This was I the only time I saw Mr Wood over the ranges, I and from his remarks the narrative must have | referred to this last visit, although it purports jto refer to the first one. It would be a tedious | task for me to go through his narrative, denying i each assertion in turn ; but, to be brief, I may i simply assure you that the entire tale is a pure | fabrication of his own. I. never was a mate of tho deceased man, W. Pitt, and only knew him at Switzers. He) died in June, 1864, whereas I did not go over the ranges before October, ISGG. The deceased W. Pitt was buried by a man well-known as “ Hobart Town Bob,” who placed the pole and board over bis grave to indicate j the place. I may also state that there are not | three mounds on the same hill, or anywhere near | it. There is one grave in Headman’s Gully, about two miles distant. I need scarcely say that all the other statements, being based upon the assertion of my being Pitt’s mate, are equally incorrect—in fact as untrue as the statement made regarding my own family. I much regret that Mr Wood should so far forget himself as to i not allow the dead to repose in peace. The details respecting my affliction at the loss of m>j mate, and tho consolation derived by me in going «n Sunday and reading a chapter over his grave, are written no doubt in a manner intended to produce an “ elfect but, unfortunately for such an object, like all the rest of the story, there jis no truth in them. In conclusion I may say that when Mr Wood and his companions visited our hut and stayed two nights, they were treated with a 1! the hospitality it was possible to show them ; but I little expected that in return he ) would show his ingratitude by causing to be i published such a collection of nonsense and iic- ; tion, wherein lie makes me play so prominent a , part.—l am, yours respectfully, John Guilson.