Mr. J. E. FITZGERALD & Mr. D. M’LEAN.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 144, 16 October 1863, Page 3

Mr. J. E. FITZGERALD & Mr. D. M’LEAN.

To the Editor of the Tress. Stu, —His Honor Mr. M’Lean has requested me to publish the foliov ing letter which lie has addressed to me : Wellington, September 30,15G3. Sm, —I notice in the report of a speech recently deliver" ed by you to your constituents at the Town Hall, Lyttelton’ that you appear to have made use of the following remarks in reference to the Kawau powder case;—“ilr. JVLcau went down and saw the powder in the pah and the Natives refused to give it up.” This statement is altogether incorrect. I did not go down as you assert, neither did 1 see the powder in the pah, nor did the Natives concerned inform me that the powder would not he given up. On the contrary, they sent a message to the elfect that they would return the powder if i went for it. I replied that I would not do so or hold any communication with them until the powder was restored and reparation made for the offence.

The powder was restored, and two vessels belonging to the tribe who took it wore taken as payment lor the robbery. I have to request that you will insert this letter in the Press newspaper, as I cannot conceive that you will allow statements so contrary to fact to bo circulated without taking the earliest opportunity of correcting them. I remain, etc., Do.valu 31'Lean. J. E. Fitz Gerald, Esq., 51.11. Ti., &c., Christchurch, Canterbury.

I was speaking at Lyttelton from tn} - own recollection of events which occurred about the lime that I was in Auckland in 1856, and of which I was then in a position to be accurately informed. The account 1 gave of the conduct of the Government in respect to the Kawau powder robbery, was perfectly accurate so far as it applied to tny argument. Namely, that the powder was got back by negotiation and not by force, or, so far as I remember, threats of force. I believe it was the Bishop of New Zealand who was the means of procuring its return. As to the fact of Mr. M’Leau having seen the kegs of powder in the pah, as he desires it, I can only express my regret that 1 should have made a mistake: but I certainly had a very distinct impression on my mind that what I stated was correct, and I still think that some agent of the Government did go down to the tribe who stole the powder and communicated with them on the part of the Government. I regret I cannot admit that the “statement circulated ” by me was in any way “ contrary to fact,” as assorted by Mr. M’Lean ; for whether it was Mr. M’Lean or another of the Government agents who conducted the negociation is of no consequence to the point I was discussing at the time, indeed of no consequence at all. I am, sir, yours obediently, Jaiiks E o wa udl-Tiz Gerald.