To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, August 6, 1853.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 6 August 1853, Page 5 (Supplement)

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, August 6, 1853.

Sib, — On Monday on Tuesday next, the inhabitants of Wellington will have the opportunity of acquiring for themselves a good or bad name, — the thanks or the reproaches of their

fellow-settlers in other parts of New Zealand. They will themselves soon rejoice or regret accordingly as they exercise their sacred, and, as far as it is the first time, it may justly be termed solemn right of electing their ovm representatives. I, for one of the body politic, feel there is bo need to fear the ultimate result of the action of these new institutions, provided always the electors are allowed to record their opinions without unmanly, unconstitutional, and un-English dodges ; for, whilst firmly holding this opinion, I am nevertheless painfully conscious we have men amongst us who are at all times ready to prostitute their talents to sacrifice the public weal for the gratification of personal and private vindictiveness, on the alleged ground of a desire to maintain correct public principles. If it were at all needed, the acts of some persons who are ready on all occasions to shout liberty, and act the petty tyrants, would unfortunately prove the assertion too distinctly. — Mark, learn, and inwardly digest the behaviour of the leaders of the false old liberals,

Win. Fitzherbert and James Kelham.l Sir, the preceding forms part of a letter intended to have been forwarded you yesterday ; it is perfectly unnecessary, or perhaps as one of the old liberals called it last night, a work of superrorgation* to pursue the subject after that event. The people's eyes are at last opened, — and, thank God for it! — there is hope for bonafide freedom, and a chance of the electors obtaining really responsible government, although that hope has only arisen at the eleventh hour. It rests with the electors to determine whether they will have it, or deliver themselves over to the tender mercies of the irresponsible domineering and would-be-tyrannical six ! I believe they will have it one day, if they are not able at present to break the foul conspiracy that has been too long permitted to exist. I believe it is of little consequence who are the persons returned, since of this fact there is now no doubt, the public is, at last, alive to the importance of watching their insidious tyrants, and denouncing irresponsible exercise of

* If my orthography is incorrect perhaps some one who reecived a University education will put me right, or probably the Editor of your learned contemporary, the Independent.

authority on the part of members of Council. The heart of Wellington is sound, and the men therein "will keep a watchful eye on any who dares to arrogate to himself a position of authority no mortal should assume. Yours truly,

A FREEMAN.