THE HAVELOCK TOWNSHIP QUESTION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 65, 8 May 1869, Page 3

THE HAVELOCK TOWNSHIP QUESTION.

(To the ISditor oftlie Tiiapehd Times.)

Sir, — I perceive in your last issue a letter signed "Major," in which he, of course, asserts his innocence- of laying before your readers erroneous statements in reference to this creature of (his) represented misplaced confi-, denee. But while I freely concede,, to every man that which I claim -for myself, liberty, of thought and.freesUftMof expression, I must say that " Major '•' has forgotten the true state of affairs, • and also the question at -issue. He says the counter petition had only thirteen signatures'; but he forgets to mention who told him it had bean lying at the store all the week. I must most emphatically state for "Majpr's" information, that ere the week elapsed between forty and fifty signatures were attached to it ; and it must also be borne in mind that this petition was not hawked about for signature. In reference to the public meetiu?, I beg to inform "Major" that "Minar" was at the meeting previous to the chair being taken, and proposed a gentleman ; and this must have annoyed the honorable "Major." But as he thinks little and. cares less about throwing ouihia frothy assertions with a .boldness transgressing the bounds of modesty, I do actually believe that veteran bombastic, Simon Pure, is slightly touched in the upper regions, and labouring under a disease known aa "blather." " Major " asserts that " Miner " is a man who cannot be relied on. And why ? simply because "Miner" is a mau ,wuo Ims been taken-in too many times by a certain class of men to be deceived again. I will jog "Major's" memory as to my being proposed as one of the deputation, for 1 immediately declined ; but the man who has thought fit to attack his fellow-man in such a manner as that from his friend in confidence, I am certain would deny his own country. A s an instance of the current of public feeling, I will mention that one person, a cow^keepov, and a friend of "Major's," who first attended the meeting hot and strong for the whole flat to be reserved, of course signed the former petition, Avas elected as one of the deputation, and spoke against the injustice to the miiiers. *' Look, gentlemen," he said, "at the cattle being depastured here ; where shall we he able to run them ? " Alas, he finally turns round and sig-m the latter petition. I simply ask, arc such persons as those interesting themselves for the benefit of the district ? But, sir, as " Major " does not understand the question at issue, I will briefly state it. " Major " with his deputation have consented to strike a line on the southeast side over one-third of the flat, including the spurs, which will only benefit five settlers — at the same time giving the Grovernment the power of auctioning it off at once, which is no good to the majority settled on tho flat, and is ju**t what tHe speculator wants. But I would suggest the spurs on the south-enst side and the main road ]me across the flat, to be open for sale by application, by no means to auction it ; and a-uy settler already on the road line or around the place, to have the power of purchase at tho upset price (as village land), only giving the' same privilege to others who wish to come and settle or build, and still' reserving to the miners the power of objecting at the Warden's Court. By compellm?* the applicant to post notices on the section he applies for, and so to stop the auriferous land from being purchased. We would then have a policy which would be at once the means of improving the township and permanently settling the people, and also keeping the speculator out. — I am, <fee,

MINF.R. Waitahuna Bridge, sth May, 18G9.