THE ALEXANDRA CORRESPONDENT OF THE PRESS AGENCY IN EXPLANATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5367, 10 June 1878, Page 2

THE ALEXANDRA CORRESPONDENT OF THE PRESS AGENCY IN EXPLANATION.

The following letter, has been sent by the correspondent of the Press Agency at Alexandra to Messrs. Holt and McCarthy:— Alexakdbjl, Saturday. My attention having been called to some correspondence which has appeared in the New Zealander, in which accusations bearing upon my “ mischief-making propensities” and “ political partisanship” have been particularly dwelt ou. How is it that after the many years I have represented you, and during several consecutive Governments, my alleged partisanship has never before been questioned. The truth of my report appears to be doubted because the alleged partisanship was net on tbe side it should be. I am taunted with not giving the names of my informants.- Does any one’ do so ? I give all information after sifting, its truth as far as possible. T see no reason why my reports should be called in question, unless opposition parties' have evidence ,to produce to controvert them. In regard to the veracity of my - reports of the Hikurangi meeting, the Auckland Star and Herald, reporters'were the only ones recognised by the Government party-as a portion of the Government staff.' Those gentlemen, whose veracity I do not for one moment impugn, doubtless thought and wrote their reports with fall faith in their correctness. But it must be remembered that those reports were simply dictated by the lips of Ministers and their interpreters, thereportersthemaelvesheiugunacquain ted with the Mauri language, -and oh more than one occasion during the meeting the reports received the benefit of Sir George Grey’s correction,, The charge of producing' my own opinion or that of any other European, is simply ridiculous, as I have always carefully avoided anything of the kind. But if, after nearly a quarter of a century of personal acquaintance with many of the present King’s adherents, I had given an opiniou, I. do not think it would’ have been more presumptuous, than \ what has been done by some others. ; It has been published that the Hon. Mr. Sheehan will, before the meeting of Parliament, again come here to finally receive Tawhiao’s acquiescence’to Sir George Grey’s proposals. This, I am informed,. will not be tbe case, unless alterations be made. Tawhiao will demand that all the land'west of the Waikato and Waipa rivers shall be under his sole control, including part of Whatawhata Harapipi .and the .west, side of Alexandra township ;: all lands confiscated om that side of the river to. be, entirely under;ha control, and occupied by him. The £SOO. per annum will be refused, the Kingites being of opinion that for the King, to. lose bis prestige for that sum would be ridiculous. It should be, if anything, £IO,OOO per aftgum.v however, will not be tbe question, h Tlaa.,wiU doubtless be called "my opinion,” but it is from, conversation with those chiefs high id the King’s confidence, and whom Sir George Grey delighted to honor, and some of whom were with him when Tawhiao’s son: was taken on board the steamer to Ngaruawahia.