To the Editor of the “New Zealand Spectator.”
Wellington, January 31, 1851. Sir, —It becomes the duty of every one to examine into and criticize the characters of those who prominently place themselves forward as leaders of the people. Mr. Fox, at the same time that he held the office of Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company, unsolicited took also upon himself the office of Principal Democratic Agitator. It would be well to enquire into the right by which Mr. Fox addresses the settlers as Fellow Colonists, and talks in an affected strain of this his adopted country. The day on which. Mr. Fox arrived, in the colony the settlers were suffering from the conflagration by which almost the entire Town of Wellington was destroyed ; he then meditated a hasty retreat, and had some intention of going to one of the Australian Colonies.—This is the man who talks of New Zealand as his adopted counter. (2.) Mr. Fox was ultimately reconciled to this country by getting the appointment of Azent for the New Zealand Company at Nelson, with a salary of ,£5OO per annum ; where, by a parsimonious way of living, he had saved a comfortable income : he resigned, intending first to make “ an extended tour in the Australian colonies,” and “ if I found” to use his own woids “ that in the course of a vear or two Free Institutions were bestowed on New Zealand, to return here (?), otherwise to so on to England.”—This is the man who talks of New Zealand as his adopted country, and addresses the settlers as Fellow Colonists.
(3.) How was Mr. Fox induced to remain in this, his adopted country ? Why, by an offer from Sir George Grey of an office under Government, which he accepted, but again resigned before beinz inducted ; the salary attached to it was less than that he received in Nelson : and on making enquiries in Wellington, he found he would be unable to get sufficient law practice, in addition to his official duties, to make it worth while to hold the appointment. —This is the man who talks of New Zealand as his adopted country. (4.) Again he contemplated leaving the country, when be was again offered an appointment at Auckland, under Government, which he accepted with this proviso —again to use his own words—“l did not care about any remuneration, though if he (Sir G. Grey) thought my services entitled to it, I would not object to receive it: but all I stipulated for was. that I should be put to no expense by residing in Auckland while 1 performed the duty.” —Of course he intended house-rent, board, and pocket-money, should all be allowed by Government. Thus again the chances of living for a short time, free of ail expense, induced him to remain.— This is the man who talks of New Zealand as his adopted country. (5.) Mr. Fox was on the eve of leaving Nelson for Auckland to assume his official duties as a Government officer, when he was stopped by the lamented death of Colonel Wakefield; he became the New Zealand Company’s Principal Agent, with a salary amounting to £l,OOO per annum. Thus again we find him feathering his nest, drawing a salary exceeding that paid to the Judge or even to the Lieutenant-Governor, and of which but very little has circulation in the country. The moment the operations of the Company cease, and the Directors are able no longer to support a highly overpaid servant, Mr. Fox takes his passage by the first vessel for England with his purse well filled with his savings !— This is the man who calls New Zealand his adopted country. (6.) Thus we find, from Mr. Fox’s own showing, that so long as he was a well paid official, and could bloat himself with lucre, he was ready to devote “ his spare half-hours” to vent his spleen against Sir G. Grey and his Government, under the flimsey design of advocating a popular cause. But he, in his “ oblique waddle to the end in view,” has been detected, and no longer is he trusted.— This is the man who calls New Zealand his adopted home ! I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant; Achates.
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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 574, 1 February 1851, Page 1 (Supplement)
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703To the Editor of the “New Zealand Spectator.” New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 574, 1 February 1851, Page 1 (Supplement)
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