CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1334, 26 July 1883, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

W« do net hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents]. :o; — THE DEFEAT OF THE LAND BILL. [TO THS IDITOR.J SIK,-—This district may well congratulate itself upon the Land Company’s Bill being kicked out of Parliament. Now that the public have had their eyes opened a little as to the hanky-panky tricks, a few of our representatives indulge in to promote their own aggrandisement, it would be well for them to give some attention to parliamentary matters. It is on account or the wellknown apathy of the public in general that land sharks of the company’s type have the hardihood to ask Parliament to give them special powers. Bye the way, I was rather amused at our gay and festive member objecting in the House to the petition against the Bill, and old Grey also. They took exception to the petition because it accused the promoters of keeping the meaning of the Bill dark I Why, what else did they do! Did not the Committee af the House object to the Bill on the very same grounds ? and was not Mr De Lautour’s excuse that the powers to buy land crept in by mistake. Never mind, Sir George ; you’re getting into bad company when you get mixed up with the Russells, the Whitakers, and that ilk. So soon as you commence defending those people, so soon will the people doubt your sincerity. Another thing. You should advise that nephew of yours to be guarded as to the company he keeps. Sir George, do you remember about theFiako swamp, and the Patetere business, Well, they are mere flea-bites to the iniquity you are countenancing in the House, Sir George, you re...ember the Parliamentary Committees, about Whitaker’s land transactions, when you and Rees worked so hard for a Committee of Enquiry, consisting of both Houses. You got the Committee, and ft was discovered that Whitaker had bought and paid for the land some thirty years ago, and has not yet got possession of it. Now, old man, take my advice, You have not many years to live, Do not sully the reputation you have gained among the common people like myself You have heard accusations made against the Land Company. You have heard the prayer of the petitions from the Natives, asking for a Royal Commission and nothing more, Old man I go for the Royal Commission. Urge on the Government to grant it. Believe me they will half funk the task. Never you mind. Get the Commission of Enquiry, and after that Commission reports, mark my words, you will, when you see that report, and thing of your defence of the Company the other evening in the House, exclaim to yourself, “ fools rush in where angels fear to tread."—l am, &c. A Gbsyite.