ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 739, 14 May 1853, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the New-Zealander. Sir—ln the Southern Cross newspaper of the 10th inst.,a "Voter" publishes his remarks upon the fact of Col. Wynyard having waived his claim to a piece of Land, selected under the new regulations, in favour of Mr. Wheeler, who had made a subsequent application for the same allotment. In doing so, he not only attempts to impugn the motive which influenced the Colonel to this act of generosity, but endeavours to in-

sinuate the idea that the Colonel took advantage of his position as head of the Executive to secure for himself the greatest share of the advantages accruing under the new regulations. He has failed, however, most signally, in his attempt to disparage the Colonel's straightforward generous conduct, and has only succeeded in proving his own ignorance and ill-will. " He," the Colonel, says this prejudiced voter, "made use of this advantage by posting a soldier betimes at the commissioner's door, with an application in his pocket," &c. Readers of this paragraph might suppose that the Colonel had picked out the fiercest looking grenadier in the regiment, and stationed him, arms in hand, at the door, to make good his master position against all comers. 'Tis true the Colonel sent his servant —and this servant may have been, or may still be a soldier —to put in an application for 250 acres of Land ; and it is also true that this servant, as a good one should do—endeavoured, and with success, to put his master's claim in first —but it is not true that he was posted there as a soldier to intimidate, as a " Voter" would seem to imply, other less warlike competitors. Had the Colonel been applying for 2500 acres, instead of 2.50, it might perhaps have been worth his while to fee a man for the scramble—but that he took no more than the ordinary means of securing his object is evident from the raadiness with winch he relinquished it as soon as he found that he stood in the way of another and a poorer man. The "Voter" then proceeds to insinuate that the Colonel did not waive his claim until after he became aware that his priority of application was not worth what he expected. He says " the Colonel's claim, until the arrival of the Governor, appeared secure'to him at 10s, per acre, and during that period we hear no talk of cession to the rival claimant. But the Governor arrives, states his intention of disallowing the Commissioner's mode of proceeding, ordering that Land applied for by more than one party should he put up to auction. Col. Wynyard, now that he was about to be run up from 10s. to a higher price, resigns the Land in favor of his competitor. Truly this is noble generosity worthy the parade that has been made about it."

The slanderous imputation contained in this paragraph will be obvious to any one who takes the trouble of comparing dates. The Governor did not arrive at St. John's College until Friday the 22nd April, and the regulations directing that land applied for by more than one person should be put up to Auction bearing date the 25th, three clays afterwards. Mr. Wheeler made his application to the Colonel on Friday, the 22nd, before it was even known that the Governor was in the neighbourhood, and his request was at once granted, and a letter to that effect forwarded the next morning to the Commissioner. So that the apostrophe with which " A Voter" concludes his epistle may be repeated, not in his ironical, and sneering manner, but with a sincere and happy meaning,— " Truly, this is noble generosity." " Voter," —before you poll for the Candidate who allowed you to publish your slanders in his paper, suppose you try him with the test, —"Wilt thou go and do likewise 2" —I am, Sir, A Friend of those who show themselves FIUEXDLY. To the Editor of the New-Zealander. Sir, —As my friend and comrade, Mr. George Paterson, has acknowledged himself the real "Simon Pure" of the Pensioners, and guide to the folbooth, I mean the "polling booth," and as he has published a second volume of the practical results of his electioneering knowledge, it may not be high treason to state, not for his information exactly, (for he already knows it), but for the guidance of some of my old messmates at Howick, thatthecause Mr. Patersonhas engaged in, as rough rider (and rough writer general) if not defunct, is at least nearly so, in Onehunga. This he may proclaim in Gath ! or Auckland ! Put I know he will not, for when the funeral is over the burial feast is ended. The sole object of his letter No. 1, was to induce to thought on the importance of choosing a .Superintendent. He, Mr.Paterson, ought to content himself, with '* teaching the young idea how to shoot," without troubling the old! —many of whom were shooting in China and Lahore, when this pensioners bright genius was engaged in surveying bogs in the County Fermanagh.; Mr. Paterson advocates a civil Superintendent; perhaps its because that a military Superintendent will not lend grey horses or mares, to make " troopers" of infantry folk. Why does he not give us a reason for his choice ? Need I remind a man so extensively read, that all, or nearly all, our colonial possessions are governed by military officers. Nova Scotia, in 1838, was governed by Sir Colin Campbell, as civil and commander of the Forces: New Brunswick, (with similar rank and power,)by Sir John Harvey, both Major-Generals in the army. In that year, or shortly after, a civilian, Charles Paulett Thompson, M. P., was sent out to British America, with the title of Captain-General of the Forces, in Canada (among others). This latter gentleman was raised to the peerage (if I recollect right). And Lord Hardinge was Governor-General of India. Who ever saw any mischief arise from these appointments ? —appointments made by Her Majesty's Prime Minister who may be supposed to be as jealous of civil rights, as this " Pen-sioner-'guide to an injudicious choice." But there is no doubt as Mr. Paterson imagines (or pretends to imagine) as to the exercising our influence, as far as it extends, &c.

Themajorityofyour Auckland division have tendered their support, and not a few of the Big Wigs among them, have thrown in their influence, to bring to the° Superintendent's chair a gentleman—not because he is a brave soldier, but because he has been satisfactorily proved to be a good civilian —a man wise in Council and brave in rear. At the meeting held at Onehunga, already referred to by you, my dear George, you forgot what the worthy Chairman," Captain Powditch, stated on that occasion, that in Auckland streets he could find persons possessing sufficient qualifications for (he oilice, (but perhaps notsuflicientstratagem, nor influence of a certain kind) to combat the clique George is allied to, But as the election affairs have only begun I will take the liberty through the medium of your paper, Mr. Editor, to apprize my friends in Ilowick, (namely Matt Tennelly, an old "dye-hard" John Lynch, an old " firm," and Patt Brennan, a " Bangalore galloper,")—of the side their old friend, but new acquaintance has chosen, not by the guidance of Mr. Paterson, who is guiding at random, tho' serving his apprenticeship to a Gent, who "drives his own chariot." These men know my kidney well, they know I would be the last in the Colony to support an officer, if he was not good, or a civilian, if he was not better than good. Proper qualifications are pre-eminently to be found in Col. Wynyard, not found by me merely, but by experienced and influential old colonists such as Captain Powditch, and other Gentlemen who explained their opinions at the meeting held at Mr. George's Onehunga. I will presume in my turn, to give a bit of advice —the cheapest commodity in New Zealand (by the by) —not to my comrades in Onehunga, they are already advised, but to those friends whose names I have taken the liberty to mention who reside at Ilowick. This trio, as Mr. Patterson would designate them, will I am sure, go the right road and use their influence with their worthy and talented friend and comrade, Mr. White, to keep from office the man who endeavoured to make the public believe that pensioners were not worth their wages.—l wonder he did not say their salt. This, Mr. Editor, is fighting Messrs. B. & P. with their own weapons. They say the Colonel's friends made the distinction between signing, and voting ; let my Howick friends take this instructive hint, and profit by it too. Willi regard to the contingent tenure of my cottage and acre, why, if I don't get it, perhaps (if I

live out the time of my contract,) Mr. P. would rejoice at me being the possessor of fifty acres. With regard to the complaint as to our coming out—the emigi'ation agent was not exactly of Mr. P.'s opinion, who knows well thnt the signatures of the passengers, to avouch satisfaction of their treatment, was necessary to procure for the doctor and the other ship officers the premiums given on such occasions. With regard to my " loyalty," I owe it to none but my Sovereign, and as the representative of my Sovereign, to the Governor .of this Colony (to a certain extent). But I wonder Mr. P. used such a term, as he must know the high priest of his clique never practices loyalty to the Sovereign, or respect to the National Anthem of Great Britain, —he thinks he owes the Governor disrespect, and beyond all doubt, he pays him too. But the bubble is burst! House-burning, and other malicious insinuations, won't take just now. To use one of Mr. P.'s own sea-saws, —a man living in a house of glass pught not to throw the first stone. However I wish to refrain from personality, although I might return it with interest, —a fact not unknown to all the passengers by the Oriental Queen. In conclusion, I hope the " Dye-hard " at Howick will join with the '•Firm," and the rear will be brought up by "the Galloper," which will show to the enemy what may be achieved by Firm, Dye-hards, and Gallopers on the day of trial. When this much-wished-for occurrence takes place some of our friends will grow pale in the face. —I remain Mr. Editor, the last and leasl of the trio, your humble and obliged friend, P. Mortimer. Onehunga, 13th May, 1853. To the Editor of the New-Zeaxandek. Sir, —It appears that Mr. Paterson was absent from home, when a letter signed by three men of the Pensioner force, was inserted in the New Zealander, of the 7th inst. Being one of the three, I feel it my duty to make a few observations on his second let ter, of Tuesday, 1 Oth May. Although he treats with silent contempt the effusion of the Trio, that" effusion," as Mr. Paterson is pleased to term it, was simple truth, not pretending or presuming to be a guide to older and iviser heads than our own—but to show your readers that Mr. Paterson's letter did not represent the opinions, or sentiments, of the generality of the pensioner electors of this settlement—perhaps, I might venture to state, of the others. Mr. Paterson talks of " cowardly insinuations" in place of arguments &c, I am not aware who he exactly alludes to. If to one of the speakers who, at the meeting at which Mr, Paterson was present, publicly stated his opinion of the first letter, surely that cannot he construed cowardly conduct. If he alludes to the letter signed by us, it cannot be called dastardly, as we, having written truth, were not ashamed or afraid to attach our signatures to that truth! I must beg leave to inform Mr. Paterson that, although he proclaims his triumph complete there is but very faint hopes that the idol of his choice will ever arrive at die summit his towering ambition Avould prompt him to aspire to. And suppose he did reach it —on what book, would he be sworn into office ? A correspondent of the Ncw-Zcalandcr states, Avhen the census was taken, Mr. Brown did not classify himself under any sect, or denomination of Christians, at least so I understood the letter signed Spectator. If this be the case, what oath will bind him I Perhaps Mr. Paterson would enlighten me on this subject. I hope Mr. Editor you will not think me inconsiderate to tresspass on your space at a time when a press of important matter is on your hands, but I think at such a time as the present every honest man should give publicity to his opinions.—l remain, Mr. Editor, yours, &c, James Gexdard. Onehunga, 13th May, 1853. To the Editor of the New-Zealander. Sir, —You recently deprecated any increase in the number of Publicans' Licenses, and your sentiments were reciprocated by the public. It is, therefore, with not a little surprise, that it is this day noticed that a Petition to the Bench of Magistrates is being hawked about the town for signature, praying a re-consideration of their late decisions, and that one new license may be granted. Apart from the illegality of such a procedure, such an appeal from one Bench to another of the same Court, would inevitably lead to undignified collisions, and would, in evenhanded justice, open up the right of re-hearing to every rejected applicant. —Your's, &c, Lex. Auckland, 14th May, 1853.