CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 18, 31 October 1861, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the ILaivlce's Toy Times. Sir, —The election of two members to represent the Town of Napier will soon take place. The names of several gentlemen likely to come forward have been whispered abroad, and from their number it is not improbable we may have a sharp contest. At a time like the present, electors must be careful whom they choose. We have plenty of paid officials already, and notwithstanding the low state of the Provincial* Treasury, little was done last session reducing the expense of the Government. Tis true the public roads were brought to a stand-still, and dozens of laborers thrown out of employ and forced for want of work to leave the colony. At the same time that expensive and almost useless hobby of the late Superintendent's—“ The Steam Dredge'’ was kept at work, money voted for its service, and a director of works paid a good salary for superintending Harbor Improvements ! Should not these things be looked to ? and therefore we ought to send into Council two men who have no personal interest, directly or indirectly, in the expenditure—men who can and will see that what money there is to spare is spent judiciously, —not thrown away upon useless offices and attempts at improvements which every one

knows will never realize the expenses incurred. Again, the state of our relations with the Maories need, at the present time, much consideration. It appears they are getting beyond the reach of, or independent of, the power of onr II.M. Whatever Sir G. Grey’s policy may be with regard to the Natives generally, something ought to be done at once to prevent the scenes which are almost daily taking place. No doubt in many instances the pakehas are to blame, but should the Maories be allowed to take the law into them own hands ? I-am, &c., Argus. Napier, 22nd Oct.