ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 582, 12 November 1851, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the New Zealakder. jg IR) — Amongst a number of charges brought against the proprietor of the New Zealander in the letter of "A Burgess," published in this morning's Cross, with the object of shewing the unfitness of Mr. Williamson to represent the Middle Ward in the Town Council, there are some which cannot, I think, be fairly charged against him. No one who reads the long letters of " Metoikos," on the subject of Sir G. Grey's Despatches, can for a moment doubt that the author of those letters, Mr. C, when Editor of the Neio Zealander, was fully aware of what was passing in the politics of this colony during the period he held that office. We are assured by his letter in the New Zealander of October 25th that, while the paper was under his management, the "leaders were, by written agreement, under his sole control ;" and also, that having mentioned to the proprietor his fear of injuring him (then also Government printer) by speaking more strongly, "the proprietor's answer was upon each occasion thesame —a request that he (Mr. C.) should not be biassed by any such consideration." Now, as Mr. C. was Editor of the paper during the greater part of the time when the subject of the first five of the charges preferred were transpiring, and as he had sole charge of the expression of opinion in the newspaper, it is quite evident that the blame, if there be any, of speaking out must rest with him, and cannot in any degree attach to or be fairly charged against Mr. Williamson now. I have no wish to accept the late challenge of " Metoikos" to all comers to tilt against him in defence of Sir George Grey. lam not in the habit of "treading on any one's coat," and have too much respect for Mr. C's practised and formidable shilelah to take such a liberty with his. He says that he never considered Sir George Grey "thoroughbred," which, as Sir George is not a horse nor Mr. C. (I think) an ass, probably means that he never thought him a truly honest and truth-telling man. No doubt Mr. C. had reason for suppressing this opinion while he was Editor of the New Zealander, and he has also, no doubt, most excellent reason for now so publicly and strongly asserting it. With the weight of his reasons or the worth of his opinion I have at present nothing to do, my present object being to shew that he, and not Mr. Williamson, should be arraigned at the bar of public opinion for the silence (guilty or otherwise) of the Neiv Zealander during the period in question —I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, Z. November 11, 1851. [Our correspondent will excuse our having given only the initial of a name which, he lias written at full length, from a feeling of delicacy towards what we know to be the desire of the gentleman himself. The point of "Z.s" letter is clearly urged* ''and his general argument unanswerable. It 'is due, however, to all concerned, to say that during the period of the New Zealander's history to which he^ refers, as well as during other periods, the questions to which the j Southern Cross alludes were not disregarded or dealt with in any spirit of subserviency to the Go- ! vernment or to any political or religious party. Of this " Z." may satisfy himself by looking back to our files. But we shall have a few words more to say on the whole subject of the charges which our contemporary— reckless in his animosity— has, -—behind the stalking horse of correspondence,— hazarded against this journal. — Ed. N. Z.~\

To the Editor of4he New Zealandeb. j Sib,— l am told that no less than two Burgesses of the Middle Ward who have offered their votes to Mr. Williamsons Committee, but who are in the employ of the bitterest of his opponents, have been threatened with dismissal should they record their votes in his favour. I believe that improper means have been resorted to in order to influence voters, but I had no notion that the most unscrupulous would have gone to such extremes as this. It will behove those concerned for this candidate to bestir themselves, and look well after the proceedings of some of the opposite party. Such unprincipled conduct may be practised on serfs at home with impunity— but, thank Providence, our lot is cast in a land where every man who wishes to assert his independence may do so without fear of more than perhaps temporary injury. I am sorry that such a practice should have been taken up here at our very first popular elections, and trust the guilty parties may be detected that such a lesson may be taught them by an indignant community as will be a salutary example to all concerned in future elections in New Zealand. Your's, &c, | A Burgess of the Middle Ward.

To the Editor of the New Zkalander. Sir, Report says that Major Matbon, who wns put in nomination for the South Suburban Ward at the late Meeting of Burgesses, would greatly prefer that the duty should not be laid on him. What could the Electors do better than fax upon Mr. W. Coknell,— a man of well-known intelligence, of long experience in the affairs of the District, and who, moreover, would have the recommendation of being so intimately connected with the Town that his presence in the Council would help to make up for the deficiency in the number of Town Members which many think so unfair. Your obedient servant, A Landowner, but not a Burgeib, or the Ward. November ilth, 1851.