ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, April 19, 1850.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 492, 20 April 1850, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, April 19, 1850.

Sir, — Of the extract which appears in your Wednesday's paper — taken from " Mackillop's Reminiscences of twelve months' Service in New Zealand," — you have said truly, — if the other scenes are of a similar character, they will prove very imperfect and exaggerated. The grossness of the extract carries its own refutation, and should a smile be drawn from the reader it would certainly be in their pity for the inanity exhibited by Mr. Mackillop's very lame, low, and vulgar buffoonery. It would have been scarcely worth noticing the extract in question, but as your paper is generally circulated at the principal reading establishments in London, and as it might to the unthinking produce a prejudice not favourble to the general respectability of this settlement, I deem it necessary that it should also be the means of furnishing the proper antidote. Mr. Mackillop does not seem to be aware that instead of raising a laugh against the poor actors, he was grossly libelling the whole of the authorities. Can he for a moment imagine that any thinking person would believe that the Magistrates vrould permit such exhibitions as he attempts to describe? Certainly not — and so opposite are the facts to Mr. Mackillop's statements, that since the Theatre has been established, which is now upwards of six years, there has not been a single police case before the Magistrates direct, or indirect connected with the establishment; and. further, that Henry St. Hill, Esq., our highl, respected Chief Magistrate, has more than once complimented the Directors for their exertions in catering for the amusement of the public. The scenes described in the extract touching the condition of the boxes, ladder, &c, is a gross fabrication, the neatness of the decorations and the excellent stability of the building every visitor in the Colony who has attended, and many now resident in London, can testify to, thus throwing back the foul aspersion of Mr. Mackil'op. The whole affair must have originated in the brain of the writer no doubt aided by " potations pottle deep." It might certainly have set the " table in a roar,"d.n& afforded amusement to his friends or boon companions, who would havegiven him credit for the length and breadth of his highly wrought imagination and so far acquitted him on the scnre of drawing* the long-bow, but when he dares to place such matter gravely before the woild he damages his reputat on ; and it is frulj' pitiable -to witness a person calling himself a gentleman and holding a commission in her Majesty's service, descend to such unworthy and unblushing falsehoods. Mr. Mackillop with singular and retiring modesty takes no note of his own little doings, it would be felt as a loss to his 12 months service should it be omitted. " Paint me warts and all," said Cromwell. Mr. Mackillop should shew his own little back slidings,he seems totally to forget his own very disgraceful conduct on two or three occasions in the theatre, and also that his superior officer, Captain Stanley, of the Calliope, who happened to be in the pit on one occasion, seveiely reproved him before the whole house. More matter might be advanced, but enough has been stated to prove the utter worthlessness of Mr. Mackillop's Twelve months in New Zealand. I trust that he will become sensible o*' the ingratitude he has exhibited in endeavouring to degrade the whole of the inhabitants of this settlement (there being scarcely one whose hospitality he has not partaken of), and thus, as far as in him lies, remove the foul unworthy insult. Apologising for thus trespassing on your valuable columns, I beg to subscribe myself, Your's respectfully, J. H. Marriott-