Original Correspondence.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 165, 27 May 1862, Page 4

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Daily Times. Dear Sir, —I think yon scarcely do Major Richardson justice in your editorial cf to-day. Considering his inability, from his position, to enter into a controversy as to the merits of the line of conduct he has pursued, it would not have been difficult to suggest a few motives which might reasonably have influenced hi-n: however, as from occasional conversations' I have the means of knowing somewhat of his views, I will throw put a hint or two which may bo taken for what they.'are worth. You are in error in supposing that a reconsideration of the question respecting the sale of land will take place at the "adjourned sittingb of the Council." The decision of that body was the reverse of your supposition. '' _ I will not refer to your conjecture as to the Major's views on Sepaiation. You have stamped them as "exceedingly undesirable," <md, therefore; you at least will agree that common honesty required of him to state his views .to the electors. I believe he considers it would have been desirous to hear what is the policy of the Government on the native question ; what steps it ,is intended to take with regard to the murdered Taranaki settlers.; who is to pay the expense of the civil experiment and the armed peace ; with whom rest's . the responsibility of native administration; how far i Canterbury, Soutldand, Nelson, and Marlborough are prepared to join in a redress of grievances. All these things he is said to regard as necessary preliminaries to a final decision at the present moment. A generous opponent might have suggested that a change of executive,.UDder the peculiar circumstances of the late case, might have been justifiably influential in the creation of a doubt; and it might have occurred to one anxious not to mislead, that the major might have been influenced in leaying the question of liis being a candidate to the constituency, who possibly might think that if elected he might run up to WeUlington on an important debate during the coming Session, or at least that his services, if of any use, might, after October next, when he is believed-.to intend retiring from the Suporintendency, be available for the future Sessions of the Assembly.

It might not have been out of the way to suppdSe, what is commoniy reported, that the Major's indecision might arise from a rumor that friends, as well as foes, were disposed to support an opposition candidate, but from very different reasons. He is believed to be personally indisposed to take any -active part in the coming crisis of Colonial, as well as of Provincial matters. "The position is one of great difficulty and grave responsibility, and, iv diffidence of one's powers to grapple with such a question, is' not generally considered reprehensible. Perhaps you will not consider the introduction of these remarks as irrelevant ; if you do, consign them to " Balaam's box." It is probable that the thoughts they originate arc not unknown to the dispassionate observer. ' ~ ' ■-. Fair Play. ' Dunedin, May 26, 1862. ' " :