Original Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 186, 11 March 1848, Page 2

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the New Zealander. Sir, — Iskallfeel extremely obliged to you if you will insert the following letter in next Saturday's Newspaper. — A. small portion of the Pensioners of the I at Division, residing at One mnga, take the New Zealander and Southern Cross papers, weekly, in order that they may gather the news of the week, without resorting to a public house for that information, and to communicate such information to their comrades who do not join the society. But what wai their astoniihment when they cime to read the following paragraph in the Southern Crots—" We have been informed by several penons whose veracity we consider ■unimpeachable, that the Government authorities are acting in a very extraordinary manner towards some of the Pensioner! at Onehuuga. The case reported to us is this — that a Pensioner of the name of Moon or Munn, we are not certain which, who was fortunate enough to obtaiu a very favorable allotment, and who has been most in-

dustriou9ly employed in getting his homestead in something like order, has receired notice that he cannot remain where he is, became the land will be required by the Government. We have made rigid enquiry as to the purpose for which the Government icquire this land, but we can gather nothing beyond this — that the allotment being in a valuable situation is wanted for the purpose of gale, the Government thinking it will command a good price. The present occupant has built with his own hands, at times when persons less industriously inclined have sought lepose and rest from their ordinary labois, a scoria wall round hit house, besidei other permanent and valuable improvements, and the poor man, we understand, now thahe is told hemustt leave his homestead and all hii improvements, is utterly dispirited and broken-hearted." Now, Sir, on the part of myself and comrades, we cannot allow such a grosi falsehood to go forth to the Pensioner-Colonists without stating to them, let them be where they will, that'the above paragraph is false, for no such person at 'Moon, or Munn,' belongs to the detachment nor, neither, has any Pensioner belonging to the detachment been dispossessed of his allotment, or even hinted to him by any person in authority, that he was to lose his allotment, with the exception of JFilmer and Kelly, and they are perfectly latisfied with the reasons why Government have taken the giound. And I beg to slate that we are not u dispirited" nor "broken-hearted," as the Southern Cross would make our b ethrrn in the East believe, hut that there yet remains a little of the fiie and vigor of the days gone by. We are perfectly satisfied with the prospect befure us, and if we do not prosper it will be our own faults. 1 deem it but justice that truth should go fonh to the world. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, W. Filmer, Serjeant, Ist Division N.Z, Fencibles. Onehunga. 7 March 8, 1848. $ [However much we may be oppoied in principle to the Journal alluded to by our Correspondent, we are sure that no lact would ever be intentionally distorted in its columns — much less invented. It appears ihat it has been misled— that it has, perhaps incautiously, adopted a statement which must have been made with ill intention towards that Journal itself. — Ed. N.Z.]