To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 8th December, 1848.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 350, 9 December 1848, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, Bth December, 1848.

Sib, — Having been prevented by business from attending the Public Meeting on the 30th ult., and of expressing my opinions_on that occasion, J beg you will allow me through the' medium of your paper the opportunity of doh?g"'so;lest my silence as a . member of the Committee may be construed by the 'people, of Auckland into indifference, or acquiescence in the determination Qtth.e_Meeling. First. In common with" my fellow townsmen I feel the deepest gratitude to- our brother colonists of Auckland for the prompt, manly, and noble genero sity exhibited by them in our behalf, and for the sympathy* expressed in the public address voted to us by them. - -__ . Second. That the Despatch of the LieutenantGovernor to the Governor-in-Chief, as well as private_ letters, tended to give an overcoloured idea of our recent catastrophe, although in , the main his Excellency's letter was correct, and really expressed the feelings of the public 'at the time of the greatest : excitement, with the exception,. of his Excellency's unfortunate prognostics. „ , Third. The people of Auckland having liberally subscribed a large sum of money to aid the sufferers in the late awful calamity, and, as it is said, there are no persons actually destitute and fit objects "of charity in the community, and therefore no need pf the money, should it be found after invitinginformation and ascertaining, that, such is correct, then, the question is, .whether by, returning, the money to. Auckland we should not insult, the feelings of that generous people, and, make it doubtful if, pn sending to the Parliament of. Great Britain, through our Governor-in-Chief, praying for compensation on account of the heavy damage sustained by our merchants and others," whether this refusal of the money subscribed by our fellow qolpnjsts, at Auckland would not tend to our disadvantage ? Tameefthe^emergency of the case,, should it.be found that there are no real objects of distress, I beg humbly to submit that, in my opinion, the best plan to pursue ; wQuld be ,to inform the Committee in Auckland of 'the' fact, and 'give them "Jilie option of taEHg back tfie"moifey, df7by"Sfid wtrirthisif chncurrerice, erect a lasting memento, such 'as" a Mechanics', Institute, Hospital, &c, in this place and Auckland, (and 'that the.amonnt appropriated for that purpose in this Town* be for a limited .period let out in small sums, without interest; to deserving! ,who may have suffered from the effect) of the earthquake) to commemorate <, the kindly j feelings of our brethren in Auckland,' and as are-, ' membrance., to us and those who come after us to! return their .kindness with interest should it- ever • please the Almighty to visit their settlement with' misfortune. 1 --" r •>'• '• < "'- •>>■ . [-^ • With" respect to "file Bishop's inunincenK'wid 1

generou6 j ' subscription, I would suggest thitl'Mal Lordship be expressly thanked- "by this community for his liberality, an!d that he be' requested T to statein what way Kis donation should be expended, at I conceive there will be' sufficient funds to carry out my suggestion, and * that the Bishop's subscription might be beneficially expended In other objects. ' In conclusion, I beg to apologize for intruding my opinion* at such lengths, and am, Sir, your obedient Servant, W. B. Ehodbs.