ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, October 3, 1854.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 958, 7 October 1854, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, October 3, 1854.

Sib, — What do the proceedings of the Wellington Patriots indicate ? Hovr is it that such efforts are made to procure an attendance at a dinner given to the representatives ; one or two of their unconditional supporters have been touting for guests in an extraordinary way. Shopkeepers have been tempted to take tickets on condition of their being taken out in goods ; tickets were told for half a crown, and even offered gratis late in the day. One would suppose that upon the return of these generous men who have spent their time and the people's money so lavishly for the good of their country, that every one would be anxious to do them honour. How is it that these ever to be landed gentlemen have deferred meeting their constituent! till they got them over a jolly dinner and a glass of grog ; are not our sympathies sufficiently warm to appreciate their services without stimulants ? They surely underrate our judgments, where merits like these are in question, surely there was no necessity for appealing to John Bull's failing in such a way ; I felt offended myself and did not go ; a friend of mine who swallowed the insult and went upon business considerations, telli me the business of the evening consisted, as is usual on such occasions, in drinking the healths of each, beginning at the largest man and ending with the smallest, all of them returning thanks by praising themselves and each other as the only virtuous men, and violently stigmatizing Mr. E. G. Wakefield. Why is Mr, Wakefield such a bugbear ? I have always understood that vice was contemptible, and if Mr. Wakefield, as they would have us believe, inherits all the malice and wickness of the most abandoned traitor that ever lived, I should have thought the best way would be to let him alone, till they'catch him on the hop and then nip him, if they can hold him fast. We were told that now when Sir G. Grey is gone, we should have cheap government, and that New Zealand would be a political Elysium, but here comes Mr. E. G. Wakefield to.

stop oar progress and increase the expenditure. "We, wanted to open up the lands, they say, but Mr. Wakefield would not let us, we wanted to educate your children, but Mr, Edward Gibbon Wakefield would not let us, we wanted to make laws for roads and bridges, to revise your taxation laws, to promote your trade by steam navigation,&c.,butMr. E.G. Wakefield would not let us. Why, if they tell us that this, one man exercised so much influence over the whole General Assembly, they must not be surprised if we humbler individuals begin to look up to him; it is no übc our kicking against the pricks, what is the use of their giving a Speaker £400 per annum againat his will, (of course Re refused it) if he cannot keep one man in order. They had better make Mr. Wakefield head man at once, I hare no doubt he will give Mr. Hart his attorney-generalship at a convenient season, just as likely as Mr. Fitzgerald, so it don't matter a straw which he truckles to. I fear, Mr. Editor, our patriots hare felt most sorely irritated under Mr. Wakefield's severe handling; it is a pity that the amiable Mr. Revans should have lost his temper so, and the pious and patriotic Mr. Sewell too! Are twenty fools as good ai one wise man ? Do they want Sir George Grey back again ? I am Sir, your obedient Servant, INQUIRER.