ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 655, 12 November 1851, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the “ New Zealand Spectator. ” W1 ok. 1 *• J AVOY, IV»U, UKII, Sir, —Dr. Featherston’s admission that he is the editor of the “ Wellington Independent’ was quite unnecessary, as it is a fact long since known to the public, that he is the author of the disgraceful articles which have appeared from time to time in that publication, and which cast so much deserved odium on the Aew Zealand Press.

That he is a disappointed place hunter Dr. Featherston strenuously denies, “ having already,” as he says “ before a public meeting of our fellow settlers declared it false.” Whether he was disappointed, or not, at failing to obtain the office of Colonial Surgeon, signifies but little, so far as the public is concerned, but it is a well known fact that he did complain, when the office was filled by another gentleman, that he had been deceived by the Governor, > inasmuch as that was done by bis Excellency which was equivalent to offering him the appointment, for when the Local Government contemplated opening a Hospital in Wellington for the reception of natives, lie was asked to submit for the Governor’s information a statement of his views in reference to the proposed establishment, and with this request he readily complied, under the full impression that r the entire management for carrying out practically the instructions of the Government would be given to him. But in this he was most certainly disappointed, for the Go'Vernor very wisely selected a man in every respect better qualified than Dr. Featherston to fill the important office of Colonial Surgeon.

Baulked in his hopes, Dr. Featherston became the unscrupulous opponent of the Government and has ever shown towards the Colonial Surgeon animosity of the blackest kind. To damage his successful rival, he has left no means untried, but all in vain. Again, as it becomes necessary to create new offices, Dr. Featherston still finds himself excluded from what he would call “ a share of the loaves and fishes;” furious at the faint hopes which are left, his ravings against the Government re-

semble those of one bereft of reason. He finds himself almost isolated in the flourishing settle ment, a fitting illustration of what is frequently to be seen in a recently cleared district, an unsightly, charred, branchless tree, standing in the midst of rich vegetation. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Outis.