tion called expressively to them.”
“Let Well Alone” was the signature to a letter which appeared in the same number of the Hastings News, and written by a gentleman of independent means whose residence was in Warrior square. The following is extracted therefrom:- “With respect to the post-office question itself, the well-conditioned portion of the community, both east and west, had seen and lamented the evil effects of the previous agitation, and deeply regret the re-opening of the controversy. Granting, for the moment, that the agitators had a reasonable cause of complaint, and that the mis-direction of a few letters were a real instead of a sham grievance, the arguments in favour of the status quo would still greatly preponderate. The following are a few of the considerations which suggest themselves. In the first place there is a usage or prescription of some thirty years in favour of the present arrangements, and long usage, we know, in many cases, overrides the law itself. Secondly, the claim of the West-enders to a separate Post Office is now stronger than ever, and is becoming still stronger daily [Witness in later years its three or more general offices and a sorting office, in addition to pillar-boxes, wall-boxes, &c]. Thirdly, they value this privilege very highly, and have unmistakeably expressed their desire to retain it, and their determination to resist its withdrawal to the utmost. Fourthly, as the Westenders are among the best supporters and customers of the east end their wishes in a matter in which they are the parties chiefly concerned, are surely entitled to some consideration; and it would be rather a silly thing for ‘the wise men of the east’ to jeopardize a good business at the bidding of a vain and restless busybody who has, I am told, himself no interests of this kind in connection with the west end. This is what is called being made a cat’s-paw. Fifthly, this is the first instance on record of a Town Council having petitioned the higher authorities to deprive a portion of their own constituents of a privilege or advantage which they possess and value; the more unusual the privilege, the more it should be prized. Lastly, considering the previous decisions of the Post Office authorities on this very question, this move is in effect an insulting attempt to stultify the previous proceedings of that department and to convict them of stolidity or corruption. Surely, on a dispassionate review of all the circumstances, we can only come to one conclusion, namely, that no public body acting under a sense of their responsibility, and having the slightest pretensions to good taste, good feeling or good sense, would attempt by the action of a tyrannous majority to force down the reluctant throats of their fellow townsmen a measure which they deem to be at once meddling and uncalled for – offensive and insulting.”
