To the Editor of the New Zealander.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 657, 31 July 1852, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealander.

Sir, — The Southern Cross of Tuesday the 27th, just come to hand, reports " one or two Mushroom Statesmen that have atisen within the last few days." I wish the Southern Gross had told us who they are, for as one generally conversant with the place and the people, the only Mushroom (would be) Statesman that I know of is the latest, but very lustreless appendage, barely yet discernible, clinging to the lowermost extremity of the "tail" of the Southern Cross constellation — an individual, who, in soliciting the suffrages of the Electors of the Southern Division, has nevertheless borrowed rays enough from the great star of the Cross to state his pretensions, with unblushing effrontery, to be those of a "Farmer and Grazier long and largely interested in the prosperity of New Zealand." How such a" statement could be made by a person who,s it is the prevailing opinion amongst us here, does not own an acre of hind in the District, or occupy one in the Province, except under lease from settlers or license from the Crown, such as in the notorious Papakura cask ! is a question only to be solved by those well able to lift: the veil from the face of some of our "colonial mysteries." The Electors in this Division have always viewed him merely as the overseer (with what interest in they know not) of a number of cattle and sheep, the owner of which is best known to the Southern Cross, without himself having any " root" whatever in the &oil ; and

if an individual so circumstanced be not the only " Mushroom Statesman" in the place, I wish the Southern Gross would enlighten us plain country folk what other candidate or settler it can allude to. — I am, sir, &c, Alpha. Tamaki, 28th July, 1852.