Who let the Bird Fly?

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 322, 9 July 1889, Page 3

Who let the Bird Fly?

[to the editor.] Sib,—With all respect to you, Mr Editor, I think that “ A Sufferer ” is perfectly right in the official upon whom he has fastened the blame for allowing a certain debtor to s'ink off, under the cloak of false pretences, until he could get at a safe distance that would enable him to laugh at his creditors. It is a bitter lesson in deceit, and one that will cause a stream of vinegar to flow in the milk of human kindness when a really hard caee does come up for judgment. But are not the people cf Poverty Bay, or a great many of them, ashamed of themselves for the way they have been fooled in the past by a squatter in the guise cf a demagogue ! The •bird has flown new, and is probably enjoying a sweet chuckle over the misfortunes of those who have been victimised. But we must not forget that one at least can be held blameable for allowing the tiick to be performed. The mere loss would not be so hard to bear, as the \nethod that was adopted to cheat the people Xany chance of getting their o.vn. “Sutler, r” \ot fair in his illustration about Lord Ullin, limy readijjss<f schoolbooks is not played by my memory tire Ci-'cftain to the _ highlands bound was a man of whom all Scots would be proud, although his heart may have weakened his judgment. What is the oomparison! But I ask the question again, would plain Bill Smith have been a 1 lowed to get his creditors put off from fortnight to fortnight, while he flashed round the streets with a massive watch and chain, employed a solicitor to “ barrack ” the creditors, when all the time it was known in well informed i circles that all hands would be “ slipped ”on the first opportunity ? Ido despise attempting to extract “ the pound of flesh " from anyone, but I have a detestation of the means that were employed in this care to achieve a certain purpose. It has succeeded, but if those who were duped get an opportunity of turning the tables there will be at least one politician who will not again dare show his face in any. place where he wishes to regain a misplaced popularity.—l am, etc., Doped One. [The above letter has had some of its bitter points rounded. As it is we think too much bitterness is displayed before there has been a fair chance of hearing both sides of the question. “ Give the devil his due ”is an old saying which might be applicab'e in this case. There are periods in the life of men when the judgment that oould be fair in the case of most people, becomes harsh and cruel when applied to certain cases. Besides it is not always right to say behind a man’s back all that might without hesitation be said to bis face.—Ed. Standard.]