WHO IS RESPONSIBLE.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 162, 28 October 1876, Page 2

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE.

Under the above heading the subjoined letter was addressed to the Wanganui Chronicle of Wednesday last. , We republish it entire, as reference is made to it in our loading columns ; Sir, —Carlyle is a small place, and I can readily understand that the Editor of the Patea Mail sometimes finds it difficult to got matter for his paper. To put the most charitable conclusion on it, I presume that accounts for the delightful alacrity with' which ho has made use of an imaginary grievance, to have a fling at a Government officer. Before trying, however, to injure a man’s official character, he should first be sure that what he writes is true. The following arc the facts of the case referred to in your local ; —A man named Cole arrived hero last week with his family His son came out about two years ago, went up to Patea and died there. Cole had a very good situation offered him here but ho begged very bard to be sent to Patea ,as ho wished to see his son’s grave. I explained to him that my district only extended from Wairoa to Foxton, that there was no immigration officer at Patea, and that if he went he would have to look after himself. He said that if I would incur the extra expense of sending him up, ho was quite prepared to do that, as he had some means of his own. On going on hoard the steamer, I gave him a private note to Captain Wray, asking him to assist him in any way ho could, and if possible to try and get him rations until he could get something to do. When Cole arrived at Patea lie received accommodation in the barracks, hut before getting his luggage Up lie got talking to a lot of people, who told him that Patea was overrun with people, that ho would starve if he remained, and a lot of stuff of a similar kind. The poor man got so frightened that he would not go to the expense of having his bedding brought up, but went on board again next morning and came to Wanganui, to take the situation ho previously refused. I may mention, that Captain Wray, in accordance with my recommendation, telegraphed to Wellington to have the man put on rations, and received authority to do so the very morning Cole left. So much for the “ cruelty” of the present immigration arrangements. The offiy cruel part of the transaction that I can see is that through going beyond my instructions, and trying to do the man an act of kindness, I shad have, very likely, to pay for his and his family’s passage myself. In conclusion, Mr Editor, allow me to say that during (lie time I have been in office, I have had nearly 3000 people pass through my hands. No one, but those who have been in a similar position know the amount of patience, good temper, and tact required in dealing with such a large number of people, many of whom come out with very exaggerated ideas of the co’ony, and who fancy they are going to get lucrative situations immediately they land. Suffering from a natural disappointment, they are very apt at the time to find fault with, and complain of, those who are doing their best for them. I think the Press should take this into consideration, should exercise a wise discretion, and ascertain that complaints are not causeless, before ventilating them in its columns.— Yours <£c., 11. M. Brewer. October, 23, 187 G.