THINGS IN GENERAL.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 237, 18 July 1877, Page 2

THINGS IN GENERAL.

(To the Editor of the Patea Mail.) Mr Editor —Yours “Not all Gas,” are the sentiments, I think, of nine out of ten of the thinking portion of the community ; but, Mr Editor, I quite agree with him, that you should strike out when the truth can be spoken. With truth at your back it is quite easy to combat all the little tricks that are likely to be practised from time to lime by politicians. I consider it is your duty, when you know jobbery is the order of the day, wholhsr by private individuals or public, and if occasion requires it, to expose nefarious practices. I quite agree with your correspondent, that, if the Harbour Board sent Mr Sherwood, they should have made it public, and then known what the price was to be paid. £2O is moderate enough, particularly if your dreamer’s ideas are to be realised —hut, it seems to me, the approval, unanimously, of a lot of children. Mr Sherwood says this and that. lias ho any written promise that anything will be done ?

1 don’t wish for a moment for you to think that I question Mr S.’s veracity or honour, as I consider him above suspicion, but, I think even for his own sake, it would have been botlet to have had these promises in writing. How nice they woidd be to show Mr S.’s revilers. However, he will be understood, if not appreciated, at some future time. I would call your attention, also, to what I consider abuses, and very great ones. Wo have, i believe, a gentleman here in charge of Crown Lands, and as land is increasing in value, 1 take the liberty of asking win- certain lands now occupied under a month to month occupancy, arc not let, by public auction. One of these sections, I am told, is let at the large sum of 2s. per acre (privately), when, I am fold land alongside is let at the rate of 30s. per acre—but this land was let by public auction. These are things that the public generally are interested in. However, I have said enough, and will say good-by for the present. — 1 am, &c., OUTSIDER.