Original Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 133, 8 September 1847, Page 2

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the New Zealander, Si r,— The publication of my last in your number of Wednesday, has subjected you, with another correspondent and mjself, to the vulgar indignation of a writer who has always shone as a lesser star in the constellation of the Cioss, and who, lest his brilliant corruspations should be mistaken for the flashes of a neighbouiing slur, invariably hangs tip the initial " M-* — " with a single ray dashed off therefrom; but the peculiar sparks he emits are vow become so familiar, that, even wanting this appendage, he may be easily recognized whenever the Cross appears in view. This correspondent, full to th_e brim of « vile vulgarity," has not attempted to meet a single argument used in justification of the despatch.

He supposes, in the vanity of bis heart, that the I voice of his single " M" represents the views of a thousand; while we all know that he is surrounded by nearly an entire community who have never identified themselves with him or his, nutallowed themselves to come within the blighting influence of the snarling clique to which he belongs. It would be indeed amu ing were we lo give a sketch of the political career of this eccentric luminary, and the " thousand beacons," thai ever and anon kepp darting from it. The single "M," was once left to illuminate our laud alone, when his kindred stars of a greater magnitude, slunk off to shed their rays on another hemis phere, at a time when much darkness prevailed in these regions, which was produced by their own murky theoiies. " M.'s" flickering light soon went out in darkness; but to save himself from the oblivion which he feared was about to enshroud him, lie made a most contemptuous effort to bot row the ra)s of an illustrious star, and appeared again above the " horizon," under the signature of " J.mius Zelandil" The charaiter of that production is well known here, for its anonymous author was unmasked, and propeily exposed at the time by one who knew him well. It was a cruel and unmanly attack— quite cliaraeteiislic of its writer aud his political associates — made upon a gentleman who had ceased to be Governor, at a time when his upright and sensitive mind was suffering from the consequences of the errors into w hich he was led b) the very class of men to which " M" belongs. It would be easy to introduce the whole gioup, and hold up their inconsistencies to public gaze, by giving a «' full, true, and authentic account "of theu' # career since the formation of this settlement, but to all « ho have watched them narrowly, the pictme would be supeifluous. 'i heir conduct towards M«e present Governor has stamped their fate. It is not so many ino.uhs ago, even after they knew his sentiments on the hind claims, that "M" himself stood among those who signed a congratulatoiy address to Capt Grey, the first, para g rap u of which ran as follows, aud which then, as now, represented the views of the community respecting the present administration. " We, the undersigned, pi esent to your Excellency our heartfelt congratulations upon the success which has attended the government of New Zealand sinte jour accession to it, aud upon the cheering promise ot futute prosperity which the affairs ot the colony now give, as compared w itli any former period of its history. To set forth folly the debt of gratitude which w e owe your Excellency for the wise administration of Ibis government, v»e should require lo give a retrospective view o! the affairs of the « olony fioin the date of your Excellency's arrival," &c, &c. My neighbour " X." has fallen in for more than an ordinary share ot kicks from the cloven foot of the Cross, and its " beucons." But with all their combined striving at misconstruction, they have failed to prove that blood would not be shed in any attempt to put the claimants unreservedly in possession of their lands. The Cross and its few satellites may turn upon the New Zealand Company, and point to the effusion of blood caused by their unrighteous quarrels with the natives ; but yet, for the aggrandizement of a few greedy men, themselves amongst the number, they won Id fain goad the government to a coutse leading, which they have failed to disprove, to similar, but moie general sanguinary consequences. Colonel WakeHeld, , nd the Company's other agents, effected their heartless purchases of laud, bounded by lines of latitude, for a few articles of perishable goods — but, suppose the Company had neveryet taken possession, where would have been the cause for quail el, or shedding of blood? Our boasted peace will) the natives, on the subject of their lands, now claimed by others,, may, perhaps, be legitimately ttaced to the poverty of the large claimants, who, unlike the rich New Zealand Com pain, have been unable to take possession of their countless acies. For, although at the time they bought their lauds, the consideration given might have been abundant, yet, upon the price of land, as well as other matters, the ideas of the natives are much enlarged,—their greed and belh'shness re nain unabated, aud were those claimants now to proceed to fence in their extensive boundaries, the probability is that it would take more troops than England can well spare to maintain them in their enormous demands. I am, &c, A Colonist.