To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 171, 22 April 1864, Page 3

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Sir, —The cool assurance of your correspondent “ Plyta,” in decrying the suppression of the rebellion and preventing fresh outbreaks by armed force, and lauding the great law-breaking scuatocracy as a more excellent means to teat end, is, to say the least, something remark: 1 :. We may presume that he thought, by making use of your columns (where the evil n..-u.ts of illegal occupancy have been so ur.iiormly exposed,) to give his pernicious sentiments the greater force. Does he think to hoodwink the inhabitants of this town and province by persuading us that the “ outward well and orderly behaviour of the Hawke's Bay natives” is an index to the state of their mind ? Does he not know that they are only quiet at this moment because it suits them so to be P—because, in fact, they are better able to aid their more honest because more bold and open co-rebels by the proceeds of “ their yearly rent-roll of TIG,000,” than by taking an active part in the more dangerous business of fighting H.M.’s troops ? Does he not know, also, that so far from the squatocracy and their illegal payments to the disaffected Maories being a source of good to the rest of the province, that the whole system is and has been an unmitigated curse, and the true cause of all the troubles we (in this province at least) have had from the “ race.” If he .does not , I must say that he has read your journal to but little purpose, where all this has been frequently and fully proved. “ Hyta’s” appeal to the ranks of the Militia against the officers, on the ground of their real or supposed vanity, and against the service on account of the equipage, marks him as a to bis Government and fellowsettlers. Let him rest assured that the men of Hawke’s Bay will submit to all this and more, with willingness and even pleasure, if by their so doing for a time they can aid in quelling the native rebellion, as when that is done they may be able to bestow a little more of their attention on those who, by

renting vast tracts of country from the Maories in open defiance of the laws have kept it from becoming the property of the people, and effectually marred the progress and prosperity of the province, and, indeed, of the colony. I am, Sir, Yours, &c., Anti-Squatter. Napier, 16tb April, 1864.