ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 30th March, 1847.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 174, 31 March 1847, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 30th March, 1847.

Mr. Editor, — Sir, — I observe in your paper of 24th instant, a letter signed " Justitia," and from your leading article I understand that want of time prevented you from replying to the simple questions therein asked, and I expected that you would have found time and space in your next. But although another letter signed "A Subscriber," putting the subject clearly and distinctly before you, appears in that paper, I find the question altogether shirked by you with your leading article commencing "The recent settlement of the Land Claims." Now I must admit that I am at present in perfect ignorance of "this settlement," and I should be glad to learn from you how, when, and where it took place ; I hare certainly been made aware that his Excellency has undertaken to pay to certain natives the enormous 9um of £5000 viz., £3000 for the Wairau, and £2000 for Porirua; but J also know that the natives in the south claim a portion of the former district, and the natives in Queen Charlotte's Sound the whole of the land there, as well as the tame interest in the valley that Puaha claims. I also know that tlte principal chiefa.claiming both those districts are Rangihaeata, Rauparaha, and Charley, the former now in open rebellion in the immediate neighbourhood, and the two latter in custody for aiding and abetting, and Puaha and young Rauparaha are only acting for their superior chiefs. I also know that the district was originally purchased by Blenkensop, afterwards by the New Zealand Company (who also bought up Blenkensop's interest,) and then admitted by these very same chiefs to have been forfeited to the British Government by the Wairau Massacre ; but it appears to me that this payment for the W airau involves most serious consequences, both to the memoiy of our friends who were massacred while in performance of their duties as magistrates, and also to every settler in Cook's Strait ; for it justifies and confirms the proceedings of Mr. Shortland and Captain Fitzroy in relation to this most melancholy event, (proceedings condemned by all parties at Home) while at the same time it holds out a premium to the natives to commit similar outrages; and let me, in conclusion, remind you that it was to uphold such views as these that your paper was brought into existence, and named the New Zealand Spectator, and Cook's Strait Guardian, and for long was worthy of the name, but until you explain so palpable a recantation, I for one must be allowed to claim exemption from its guardianship. I am, Sir, Your's most obediently,