CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 299, 21 August 1865, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

We shall always fee! pleasure in affording space for the free discussion of all subjects affecting the prosperity and progress of the province and colony, not endorsing any opinions expressed in this portion of our columns, and always reserving to ourselves the right to curtail any expression wanting in courtesy on the part of the writer. %* All communications must bo accompanied by the name and address of the writer in confidence, and as a guarantee of good faith.

[To the Editor of the Hawke’s Bay Times.] Sib, —The proceedings of the last week or two, in reference to the forthcoming election for the General Assembly, cannot but convince even the most sceptical that the Government are beginning to feel that their position is rather a “ shaky ” one, and that a great struggle between the two great political parties in Hatoke’s Bay is near at Hand- —a straggle the like of which has never yet been experienced in this Province. Government emissaries Cl learn on undoubted authority} have been scouring ClvSvf'iCt ifl iwSVS dcina everything in their power to get the requisition to Mf M'Lean numerously signed, and to get electors to fledge themselves to support that gentleman- In

reference to tlte requisition it would appear that they have succeeded, inasmuch as the Herald a fern days ago contained the announcement thatithad“been very numerously signed." Electors be careful what you are about. Colenso will oppose M'Lean ; and tt remains for you to judge for yourselves which of those two gentlemen is most entitled to the support of the Napier electorate. It will no doubt be some time yet before a dissolution of the New Zealand Parliamen t will take place. In the meantime depend upon it the Government will do their vert/ utmost to effect, not so much the return of Mr M Lean as the oirsxiifa 03? Ms Colenso ! Therefore be cautious; and if you have any regard for the future welfare and prosperity of Hawke’s Hay —if you have any ambition to preserve your standing as free and independent electors—pledge yourselves to no man ; but exercise your privilege as a, free-thinking and intelligent public, and when the day of battle comes, record your votes in favor qf whom you think proper. Hoping these few words of caution and advice will not offend the friends of either gentlemen, I beg to subscribe myself J An -Elector.

Snr, —Through the medium of your much appreciated journal, allow me to direct the attention of the public at large to the way in which members of the Police Farce (stationed on the SpitJ are employed by the Superintendent. It is, I assure you no exaggeration to state that he very often has one of them employed in his kitchen, and for other domestic purposes. In the name of the public generally I protest against the Provincial Revenue being obliged to bear the expense of Domestic Servants for “ His Honor." Our revenue is not very large, and besides the policemen should (if they have any time on their hands} be employed on public and more important services than dishing up a hash, or procuring fish, flesh, or fowl. So far as I know they (the policemen) are a respectable body of men, and are judiciously and efficiently managed. It should be deprecated by the public that these private calls of his Honor are made on their.already too much occupied time. I trust that tab's* allusion to the existing evil will have flic effect of effectually putting a stop to it. — Yours, §c.. Observes. [Our correspondent is not sufficiently explicit as hadoes not say that it is while on public duty the police are so employed. If this is the case it is a matter requlriu o, investigation ; but if it is merely a private arrangement! not intefenu, witii tlicir duty, it is not & public cpicstion, £d*.

[To tae Editor of the Hawke’s Bay Times.] SiK, —Yesterday being our usual drill day, we entertained by a visit from a young cove who had been despatched from Napier on a'canvassing tour, to obtain signatures to a requisition to Donald, the-law-breaker, to stand as candidate for the representatiom of the Napier district at the next election.. Fortunately, the Times had arrived just before, and we were on our guard against the trick. There happened also to be a gentlemen present who knew something of the matter, and he did not fail to expose the lawless conduct of the said Donald, and expressed a hope that uo one would sign the petition. The messenger teas armed with a bundle of circulars, addressed to most of the Mohawks, but I believe that the policeman ivas the only one whose signature could be obtained'. It was ralher a good trick to send the messenger on drill dan, so that he might find most of the men collected together, but this has defeated itself this time. — Yottrs, c]'c.. One oe the Mohawks. Mohaka, August 17, 18C5.