THE FRONTIER SETTLEMENTS AND NATIVE INSOLENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 815, 6 September 1877, Page 2

THE FRONTIER SETTLEMENTS AND NATIVE INSOLENCE.

Sib, -m your last Saturday's issue a letter from a writer who signs himself "Behind the Scene," has come under my notice; I am surprised to find any person come forward m the way he has done aud endeavour to throw cold water upon what the public of ihia looali;y and the Presa m general know to be wallknown facts. .After his unmanly and uncalled for attacks on the publicans of this ( township, he goes onto sttte fjr economy sake of cour.^, how Kihikihi is to be defended by one Constable only. It is strange thab so well iulornel aa individual as "Behind the Scene' should keep himßelf so long m the background, and not come to thd front at any of the recent meetings here, re defence, and • here and then give the publio the benefit of his puerile notions. In this mercenary a^e it is only what may be expjetei. Example is contagious ani there i ore I am prpired to. hear that the publicans of Kihikihi want an "Expenditure of • Governnient money." Something of ihe same is said of Road Trustees m general — they it is said only take office for the sake of makiug roads out of the pub.io funds to their own doors. Then again, gentlemen who have invariably been considered upright and honourable until they enter the precincts of the House of Assembly are, we are told, intent only, and influenced by the tfonorarum, and above all there is that highly efficient and mirtial body of Volunteers, the Wai* kato- Cavalry who also, it is said, are influenced by £ s d. And of oourae the unfortunate publicans m general, and these of .Kihikihi m particular, are branded with the same brusu. In (speaking of the publicans I wish it to be understood thai lam m vo w iy intern ted m their business, but I wrica simply through a spirit ofjuatice to those m-in, and because such a oitluminoua -tiUuinenD as that made by their friend " Behind the Scene" should not pass without contra* diction. As a settler on the frontier for many yebra I have kept a olose watch on natives passing and repassmg through ;hia settlement and 1 oan safely s*j that the writer m question is not at all justified m miking so injurious and nnguarded a statement against the publicans of this town. It is apparent, Mr Editor, that " Behind the Scene" is much annojed at the remarks made some time ago m your leading article about the hook that was adroitly baited by the Government when the Vqluufceers rode blindfolded into the Ambuscade. Indeed the galled jade seems to winoe under the remark. — I am &C, A SRTTLBR ON FttONTtKK. Kihikihi, Sepfc Ist, 1877.