ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume X, Issue 977, 13 December 1854, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

2 b Hue Editor of the "New Zealand Spectator." SCENES AND SATINGS IN THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER. THE SPEECH. Wellington, Sth December, 1854. Mr. Editor, — So the 21st of this month is the day fixed when the obstetric aid of his Honor the Superintendent will be again employed in delivering a " speech " from his imaginary throne, surrounded by his staff of erudite Executive officers, and the representatives of ike people, who have been summoned to attend the right royal occasion to give, I imagine, Mr. Editor, vitality to the scene. But I, with very many of his Honor's admirers, sincerely hope that he will skilfully relieve himself from bis troublesome burthen in as short a time as possible, which with reference to the events of the past year, must be a source of much anxiety to him. But a truce to jocularity under such circum- 1 stances, there is no doubt our risible faculties will be sufficiently excited during the appioaching session, we must therefore put our countenances in order, and assume as much gravity as the occasion will admit of. My übiquitous friend, Asmodeus, assures me that the concoction of the speech expectant has been a " tough" jqb," and has severely tested the prominent characteristic of the "ministry" (of which more at a future time), It will how-

ever, be found far from satisfactory. The great difficulty appeared to he in what manner the large expenditure of the people's money was to be accounted for, the ever-ready — the Premier !^-the irascible William was even at fault — the Receiver-General cunningly declared he could not have believed it, and he was more than startled when, after some very considerable difficulty, he pscertained how largt a sum had been spent, and how little they had to shew for it ; if, oh ! if the projected lloathen — the che- I rished hope — had been successful, the people would then have been misled by the large balance in hand. It was, however, after a rather confused discussion, unanimously agreed that it would be advisable if things came to the worst to put a bold face on the matter, and urge their right to do whatever they thought proper, $o long as they remained in office, with the revenues placed within their reach, in which purely patriotic sentiment the honorable member for Wairarapa expressed his full concurrence, and assured the Council that his colleague would (he could answer for it) engage in anything conducive to his or the Council's interests. The substance of the speech was then drafted out, and after sundry interpolations handed to his Honor, who undertook to give it the finishing polish, and to bring it up to such a pitch of brilliancy that even his opponents (who he was sorry to find were daily increasing in numbers) should be dazzled by it. My " invisible friend " has promised to make me acquainted with anything which may transpire or even be whispered in the " cabinet" should it be of sufficient interest, and I on nay part .promise faithfully to put the public in j possession of it. ! I remain, Mr. Editor, Your obedient servant, PUBLICOLA/ To the Editor of tJie New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, December 11, 1854. Sir, — In reference to the late Election for the Country District you were pleased to call the attention of the Public to the improper interfeience by members of the Government therewith. I also made a similar charge in my address to the Electors. The Government organ, " the In- dependent 1 ' has taken upon itself to deny the charge in these words, contained in the leading article of their last Saturday's issue ; — "Of course it is unnecessary to remark that the whole of the statements relative to the part the members of the Government took in this Election are totally without foundation.*' Having myself made the charge I will furnish you with a few pai ticulars and leave the public to judge. Previous to the Election the Ptovincial Solicitor in his capacity of Absentee Land Agent was most industrious in canvassing for the Government Candidate. On the day of Election the Provincial Secretary and the Provincial Treasurer most ostentatiously proceeded arm in arm to thy Polling Place followed by the Provincial Solicitor to record their votes. The Provincial Treasurer then took his stand in front of the Polling Place, where he remained until the close of the Poll, using every art that the most indefatigable election agent could employ to obtain votes for the Government Candidate. Mounted men were hurried off by him in various directions, in fact ho neglected nothing to insure success even to the taking up to vote, himself, a man who is well known to have lost his qualification and has no moral right whatever to a vote. | One of the Government Clerks, after having voted himself, was eugaged for a considerable period in hunting up the Scab Inspector to prevent his giving an independent vote. Several J. P's., late members of the Constitutional Association, distinguished themselves m the cause of liberty and freedom, one in bringing up a drunken voter, another in bringing up a voter in an almost equally helpless state, whilst a third who has lately earned an unenviable notoriety by his temperate conduct, was most zealously engaged during the greater portion of the day in the gentlemanly occupation of uttering the grossest falsehoods in order to persuade electors not to vote for me. In fact to such an extent was the intercepting of voters carried on that some of my friends were obliged to accompany each voter to the poll in order to insure fair play. The Government Organ also played their part, by issuing an anonymous placard, charging me with being Mr. Wakefield s nominee, on the evening previous to the election. To this placard the printers had not the manliness to affix their name, but this is only a repetition of their conduct at the General Election, when other nameless attacks issued from their office. I have to apologise for intruding so far on your space, And am. Sir, Your obedient Servant,