MR. COLENSO AGAIN.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 91, 20 February 1863, Page 3

MR. COLENSO AGAIN.

(From the Wellington Independent, Feb. 14.) The career of Mr. William Colenso as a Provincial politician has come to an abrupt close. By his own act he has quitted the hot arena of the Provincial Council Chamber of Hawke’s Bay, and now seeks, in the cold cell of private life, that repose and leisure for his scientific and classical studies which his previous position did not afford. Perhaps it is well that this should be so : who knows, but that like the first Greek prose writer he may still devote his elegant leisure to the services of his adopted country. Cadmus, of Miletus, chronicled the foundation of his native city, and wrote the history of the colonisation of lonia—and Colenso, in imitation of his illustrious prototype, may yet make Napier similarly famous and have his memory cherished by future generations as historian of Hawke’s Bay. Degenerate Scotch materialists think of this ! The man “ who is far before his age ” uuhonourod amongst you. The modern Cadmus feels the chills of neglect, but posterity will atone for your injustice. Philosophers are, however, but mortal after all, and Mr. Colenso forms no exception to the rule. Putting aside for the moment the almost mountebank display recently made on the hustings at Napier, wo regret that ho should have thought it necessary to favor the colonists witn another ridiculous exhibition. Not content with issuing a terribly verbose and inscrutable valedictory address to the electors of Napier, he has favored this journal with a letter, which will be found elsewhere, containing an attempted explanation, and justification of his recent doings. While committing political suicide, he can’t even do it quietly—but contrives to expire amidst a gorgeous corruscation of words. The gist of the letter simply amounts to this, that our previous comments upon himself—our “ Editorial castigation,” as he terms it—was merited, “ if he had been the fool that the selfishly cunning writer of the socalled report had made him.” This not very clear sentence, taken in conjunction with the rest of the letter, amounts to the charge that Mr. Jas. Wood, the Editor of the Hawke's Bag Herald, has, of malice prepense, published a false report of the speech in question. This is certainly a very grave accusation against a gentleman occupying the twofold position of a journalist, and a member of the Provincial Council, and should at least be supported by reasonable evidence. We have again gone very carefully over the files of Hawke’s Bay journals, the Times as well as the Herald, and on comparing their reports with Mr. Golenso’s letter, cannot find anything which in the least degree justifies the charge. Mr. Colenso from lengthened political experience should be perfectly aware that the words of a speaker cannot always be reported verbatim, and that an alteration of phrase when the menu ing is strictly preserved does not constitute a misreport. At the very most this all ho can complain of. Ho admits having made an attack upon the Scotch, and only denies the use of certain words ; but if we may take his own version of what he did say, it would be hard to judge whether that or the reported speech was most insulting. Besides, Mr. Colenso should remember that we have only his own testimony on one side, and ho cannot, from position, be considered a perfectly unprejudiced witness ; while on the other hand, we Tjjjyrt o rsputstion ss s journslist and character as a local politician depended on the honesty and accuracy with which he recorded public proceedings. It is surely very petty for Mr. Colenso to ascribe a host of underhand motives to Mr. Wood in the columns of another journal. The issue ought to have been settled S”Ci rrro ob°crTß TrrifV* .rc rr i , cfc £l}£iv lii*-? accusations in the present letter are infinitely stronger against Mr. Wood than those contained in his address to the electors. The former is only published here, while the latter first saw the light in Hawke’s Bay, and admitted of almost immediate refutation. So far as this journal is concerned, we simply acted as we have always hitherto done, in taking the report of the speech from a journal of acknowledged respectability ;

and if it were incorrect, the error should rather have been exposed in the columns of the Hawke's Bay Herald than in those of the Wellington Independent. As a matter of opinion, we may however say that we believe the report was substantially correct, and that conviction is borne out by the cu’cumstance that its re-publication in both the Southern Cross and Hew Zealander has evoked no contradiction.

We do not profess to bo quite so well acquainted with colonial “ Dodges” as Mr. Colenso, nor can we emulate his dexterity in supplying copious talk with only the appearance of reason. In this he almost rivals Hudibras, of whom it is said, — On either side he could dispute, Confute, change hands, and still confute.

Wo scarcely appreciate this kind of trifling, and therefore think it unnecessary to do more than just allude to his gratuitous assumptions as to the motives which dictated our previous comments. His ingenuity in suggesting explanations really evinces an immense amount of perverted talent. Perhaps it was because the writer “was a Scotchman and an Odd-fellow,” or perhaps “ a leading member of the late Ministry was having a blow at an old political opponent. The former of these insinuations only provokes a smile—the latter we indignantly repudiate. Asa public man, with no inconsiderable notoriety, his recent displays have been made the subject of legitimate comment. In one breath he now craves pardon for the past, and heaps fresh insults on his opponents. Trig valedictory address to the electors had better never have been made—bis letter never been penned. Both only make matters worse than before, and simply serve to show how far political bickerings may for the time cause a polished gentleman, and a Legislator of the Colony to forget the dignity of his position.

To the Editor of the Wellington Independent. Sie, —An acquaintance has just shewn me your paper of the 15th instant, in which you have been pleased to devote a whole editorial to myself 'and to my late (?) doings! I confess I feel some doubts as to the proper course open to me—whether to write to you or not. Had your old established paper a mere colonial circulation, I should certainly not care publicly to notice your elaborate article. I should just act in this as I have under many other equally strange charges and statements made concerning me—quietly live it down. For, I am very sure that as far as the Province of Hawke’s Bay is concerned, ditto a largo part of that of Auckland, and no small portion (I think I may safely say) of that of Wellington, it would be a mere waste of time and words if not highly ridiculous, for me to think of answering what such a man as James Wood, the printer of the Hawke's Bag Herald, pleases to write concernin'* me on any matter in which himself or his pocket is concerned.

Sir, I wholly grant the correctness of your editorial castigation, if I had been the fool that the “ selfishly cunning” writer of that so-called report had made me. But it does seem strange, very strange —to me at least, that you, sir, the editor of an old-established journal,—you, who have lent* known me (may 1 not say personally,) pretty well —you, sir, who so often have warned us hero in another Province against believing the canards of the Spectator and of the Advertiser :—you, who know that even the reporting of the General Assembly debates by disinterested and able reporters possessing every convenience, was but very lately protested against for its erroneousness ; that you knowing all this, should so suddenly jump to the conclusion, that all that interested James Wood said, in his “ vile report ” of our late election proceedings, was true! Mark me, Mr. Editor, I say, flZZthat Wood had said; for, ifyouhad any reasonable doubt on your mind, (as an editor of several vears standing and a judicious man), as to any portion of that “ vile report ” of his, then should have reasonably suspected the whole and then you ought to have withheld your editorial pen until you had made further enquiry. And (may I not ask,) had you no doubts, no misgivings, as to some portion of that precious report ? Sir, I know you are a man like myself, and moreover an perienced man, and I therefore know you must have hud such doubts. Why, then, did you not act justly towards mo? Have I to conclude, that seeing you are a Scotchman and an officer in the Odd Fellows, —or, rather, shall I say, an old Wellington settler and an out-and-out supporter of the “Fox-Featherston party,”—such a golden opportunity should not be lost of hitting “ the old enemy of Wellington more especially when such could be done by using the very words of a quondam acquaintance. Or, am Ito adopt the opinion of some here —that, seeing sometimes an able man of the late ministry (as it is reported) writes articles for your journal, that that gentleman hus once more tried his hand against an old political opponent ? Sir, I cannot bring myself to adopt the latter.

Mr. James Wood, as it is well known, is generally his own reporter, in this oaso most unfortunately for him and his little paper ; for, had any one else, not immediately concerned, been reporting, all, I have no doubt, would have passed off well enough—(as, for instance, in the JlaioJce's Bay Times , a paper with which I have no connection.) Whatever was really said by me, however grating, would have been properly placed (as it has already been by thinking minds,) to the excitement, the place, and the very great provocation I had received. My real remarks as to my not being either a Freemason or an Odd Fellow, rightly construed, only showed that through my rw-m.OCf'iol srtntut, mtli T 1 3 i ■ , i —„ —wiviui j. xmu jjul Lueir votes. The words, “ mean, crawling Scotchmen,” were never used by mo ; at the same time I did plainly enough denounce the “ underhanded, escret, mole-like working ” which a certain party had carried on against me. And as to the words, “had he not been born an Englishman, he would wish to have been born an Irishman,” &c., (which words are lumped in by an excited Wood into one sentence with the former !) I did not use those words as set down ; although’ X did say—in my second address, after all the other candidates had spoken, (being obliged to speak again through James Wood having given me the lie direct in plain English, and after having been often interrupted by some of his own Scotch supporters and friends who were in the fore-front of the hustings

with no very seemly remarks)—that “ I did not believe in the ancient doctrine of metempsychosis ; but if I did, or if there were truth in such, and 1 could not be again born an Englishman, and I could choose, I would elect to bo born an Irishman, rather,” &c.

And surely, sir, there can be no great need for me to lengthen this in order to point out the reasons why James Wood was so fearfully excited, unless it bo that you, living at a distance, were ignorant of them. The present main cause was my having dared to touch upon his own paper, saying in answer to some one from the crowd, “ I had no confidence in it.” (Much indeed as there is in that part is reported by him —before ho “ overtoppled.”) But there were other latent and congenerous causes smouldering in his bosom (of which I need mention but two.) First, —His again losing the Government printing for 1863, which ho had felt cock-sure of getting. And second, —The advertisement which appeared about throe weeks ago for tenders for advertising, (which you yourself, not knowing the real state of the case, had also unwarily animadverted upon,) both of which mortal sins against the Herald are mainly laid by James Wood at my door as one of the Hawke’s Bay Executive. How, sir, having stated this plainly, may I not appeal to you —as an old printer and an experienced Editor, pretty generally acquainted with colonial politics and would-be Provincial politicians—whether such a man in such a place, under such circumstances—united —could possibly report faithfully ? Talk of prejudices—of party feelings— of green-glasses—of nationality! Hyperion to a satyr. And then you also speak of my “ false and malicious attempts to arouse ancient jealousies.” 1s this the Editor of the long established Wellington Independent thus speaking ? —and thus speaking of me ? Do you knotv—nay more, have you not in some of your old numbers noticed approvingly my long known absolute and real hatred of all such national distinctions, and would that they had all been left behind us ? Yes, whether civil, political, or ecclesiastical. Did I not, several years ago, write and speak against your St. Andrew’s, St. Patrick’s, and St. George’s days being held there among you at Wellington ? Calling on you to do away with such mummery and barriers to the advancement of our common humanity, and unite in one colonial day r of hilarity anti welcome and brotherhood. And have you ever heard of my altering ? Of course, in all this, I know lam before the age; yet I have a joy. “ I joy the age to come will think with me.” Sir, I believe this of you—that on calm reflection you will allow all this Further, for James Wood of the Herald , under all the circumstances, there is a certain allowance to be made for his “vile report but, really, I see very few extenuating ones for the remarks of MTCenzie and Muir of the Wellington Independent. You-also remark on my “forming a tail,” — i.e., being the lowest on the poll of those returned (16 to 62). I scarcely know whether you mean this as a reproof to me or to the Hapier electors ; for, although at present politically differing (you and I), I believe that you, as an old colonist, and a watelier of political events, will readily own thatl have endeavoured to servo Hapier and her interests. However, as you are well acquainted with Provincial elections, it will suffice for me to inform you that every one of the 16 who voted for me did so unsolicited ; nay, more, several of them nobly withstood strong solicitations to the contrary.

You may yet know more of cur late Napier election, of what took place before it , and during its continuance, if such be worth your knowing—bye and bye. Sir, I hare resigned my seat in tee Hawke’s Bay Provincial Council, and I shall enclose a copy of my letter to the electors of Napier, on my so doing for your perusal.—l am, Sir, yours very truly, "William Collxso. P.S.—(2Bth.) Since writing the above I find James Wood has returned to tho charge of railing hoping thereby to bolster up himself—which he much needs. Let me call your attention, in closing to his acknowledging to his misuse of the Governor’s name in his “vile report,” but in so doing, poor creature, he goes from the pan to tho fire! saying, “it was the Domett Ministry whom I spoke against from the hustings ” !!! What will you at Wclington think of that? I, William Colenso, speaking publicly against the Domett Ministry!— Jam satis — ohe. W. C.