ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 22, 14 October 1842, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Colonist.

Sir, — I beg to annex a report of the formation of the Taranaki Horticultural Society, which I shall feel obliged by your inserting in your paper, as a. piece of information interesting to the friends of this settlement. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, RICHARD CHILMAN, Honorary Secretary.

At a meeting of.the inhabitants of New Plymouth, for the formation of a Horticultural Society, held at the New Zealand Company’s Storehouse, on Thursday evening, the 11th of August, 1842, the following resolutions were unanimously carried:— J. T. Wicksteed, Esq., in the Chair.

Resolved, —That in the opinion of this Meeting, it is expedient to establish a Horticultural Society for this settlement, and that the same be called “The Taranaki Horticultural Society.” That every person contributing five shillings per annum, in advance, may become a Member of the Society ; that the annual subscription be limited to this sum of five shillings, but that donations of any larger sum may be received.

That the affairs of the Soeiety be managed by a President, a Committee, and a Secretary who shall be Treasurer, to be elected annually, and after the first election, by ballot from among the Members, and that the President be Chairman of the Committee.

That the President for the first year be J. T. Wicksteed, Esq. That the Committee consist of the eight following, persons, exclusive of the President, who will have a casting vote at all meetings of the Society:— Captain'King, R. N., Mr. John Nairne,

James Webster, Esq., Josias Flight, Esq., William Halse, Esq., Stephen Gillingham, Esq., John George Cooke, Esq. George Cutfield, Esq. That the Secretary and Treasurer be Mr. Richard Chilman. That the Committee be instructed to frame and report a system of bye-laws for the government of the Society, and their report to be presented to the Members as soon as is practicable. That the Secretary be directed to open a book to receive subscriptions and donations, and to enrol Members.

The thanks of the Meeting having been voted to Mr. Wicksteed, for his able conduct in the chair, Mr. Wicksteed, in acknowledging the same, commented on the great good effected by the Wellington Horticultural Society, anticipating similar results at Taranaki. The Meeting then broke up.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Colonist. Wellington, October 13th, 1842. Sir, —Observing, by your report of the cause Watson v. Monteith, that ray evidence is so directly contradicted by that of Mr. Taylor, I have to request you will insert the following correspondence between myself and Mr. Wilson, who valued the work for Mr. Monteith. I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant GEORGE SCOTT

Wellington, October 4, 1842. Dear Sir, —I shall feel obliged by your answering the following questions : Ist. When you were requested by Mr. Monteith to Value some work done for him by Mr. Watson, whether the sum of ,£lO. was considered as a remuneration for work alone, or whether that sum was awarded to him for the work and loss of time he sustained by taking the contract ?

2nd. Whether you remember Mr. Taylor telling Mr. Watson, in your hearing, that they had awarded him £lO. for his work and loss of time, and Mr. Watson saying he was perfectly satisfied.

I remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, GEORGE SCOTT,

To Mr. Wilson.

Wellington, October 5, 1842

Dear Sir, —In answer to your note of yesterday regarding the arbitration between Messrs. Monteith and Watson, I have to state, to your first query, that I considered the award of £lO was a full equivalent for all work done by Mr. Watson which came under our notice ; but had nothing to do with any trouble that Mr. Watson might have had in getting the timber bespoke for the building previous to its being commenced upon by him. And to the second question—l do not remember of hearing Mr. Taylor say to Mr. Watson that the amount of £lO was meant for work and loss of time ; neither of Mr. Watson expressing himself as being satisfied with the said statement. I am, dear Sir, yours truly, JAMES WILSON. To Mr. G. Scott, Willis Street.