"CRITIC" AND THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1108, 31 July 1879, Page 3

"CRITIC" AND THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Sir, —I see by your issue of July 22, a letter signed " Critic", in which he toys to ridicule the policy of the present Government. Now, Sir, I object to several remarks made by the writer. First he asks, has Auckland got her fair share of the loans that have been raised ? I admit she has not, but there has been more money spent on public works in the province of Auekland since the Grey Ministry came into power than ever there was before, and why ? because we have town energetic Auckland men in the Ministry, namely, Sir George Grey and Mr Sheehan, who will see she will not be left out in the cold, and these are the men whom a section of the community want to oust, simply because they trod upon the corns of office seekers, of land ' speculators, and of the Canterbury runholders. It is all nonsense talking about free trade in native lands. If such jwere the case, men of large capital would go in and pick the eyes out of the country, before the public would have a chance of buying.

I call free trade in. this case public auction, so that men of limited means can have a chance as well as the land sharks. No -wonder there is a howl from the latter, as Sir George Grey has spoiled their" change of acquiring large tracts of the public'estates. Perhaps "Critic" is one of the dissapointed ones, and of course feels it keenly, but I hope the public -will not be led away by plausible speeches and letters written by those individuals who care not one bit for the public, as long as they can benefit themselves. Now, with regard to their native policy, " Critic" makes out it was a failure, at the late Kopua meeting. I hold a different opinion. I was there, and consider it a success, as the Government were then able to withdraw the rash promises made by former re the giving back to the King all the land on the west bank of the Waipa, and other land within the confiscated boundary. " Critic,'' also says, the Premier and Native Minister came to the meeting uninvited, which is not in accordance with fact, for Rewi invited them, and sent his men to escort tbom from the canoes to the camp, and made them his guests. This did not look like the cold shoulder. Then, again, is the gaining over of Rewi worth nothin, who is a host in himself ? I consider it a good stroke of policy, and the Native Minister deserves every credit for it, he (Rewi) being one of the most powerful chiefs in the Island, one who kept himself aloof from Europeans since the war. The very fact of his coming in, is worth a big cheque to the colony Taking the above, and other things into consideration, I contend the meeting was a success. Now, with regard to Waimate Plains, former Ministers were afraid to deal with it, but this Ministry took the bull by the horns, and the result will be, a thorough investigation and a peacoful settlement. But this will not satisfy some of the land sharks who have their eye on it. And now, Mr Editor, who are the men that arc so bitter against Sir George Grey ? Are they not disappointed men, disappointed, beoause they would not be allowed to rob the public. Now, I hope the of the country will use their common sense, and not be led by those men, but now, in the time of need, organise large meetings, calling upon their representatives to support the present Government, for, if this Ministry is turned out, we will have a Southern one in, which will go hand in hand with the squatter and speculator, and so far as Auckland is concerned, hor share of loans would be small indeed. If we turn those men out, who are we to get in their place ? If we can get better men, by all means, let us have them. The only man in the House sufficiently popular and competent to take the lead (outside the present Ministry) is Mr Whitaker, but I am told he will not aooopt office, I consider the Auckland members who are voting against the Government, are cutting their own throatsj and going against the interosts of the province. " Critic" seoms to take objection to the present Government having the spending of the loan, if it is raised. What better men could we havo to spend it, as far as Auckland is concerned. Hoping you will give the above space in your valuable am, &c, H. Roche. Te Awamutu, July 28,1879.

WILL JAMES RUNCIMAN, OR ANY OTHER MAN, DARE TRY VICTORIARO AD WITHHALF- A-TON.

Sra, —Its a grand maxim, not always acted upon, for a man to lie quiet when, he don't know what to say or do ; but it is a weakness of James Runoiman's to say something, no matter how silly, because he has got the opportunity. James Runoiman's late Board report is only eclipsed by his letter in last Tuesday's Tihbs. To accuse a person of falsehood, without in some way qualifying tho assertion, is only the production of a very weak-minded individual; the word falsehood has been foolishly used, without the j ability to make it applioable. As to the weight of the loads that tried to cross tho abandoned Victoria Road, I too, got my information from theEurekanursevyman, who, in answer to my enquiries, said there was about half-a-ton upon the first waggon. Yet upon this question alone, James Runciman has betrayed himself to use the word lie, whitewashed into falsehood. Everything else I wrote has been substantiated by James Runoiman himself. James Runciman can only recollect whai suits his own argument, or ho might tell ua how himself and another member of his Board waited upon me, and distinctly rofused to have anything to do with any contractor for gravelling by the yard, .and said I must do it according to their advertisement (by tho chain). I agreed, and went on with tho work, and never saw a Trustee until I had nearly finished tho work, and then one of the Trustees discovered that more gravelling had been done than what had been authorised by minute book j and before I

had sent in my account, this very member premeditated that I should not get paid for all the gravelling I had done, and this was carried out thoroughly. I agree with James Runciman, that there is no harm to cheer and pay a contractor, but in this silly instance, the contractor is cheered and payment refused. I fail to see the compliment. I thank Mr Runciman for admitting at one annual meeting, that I saved his Board from a hopeless lawsuit; and I thank you, Mr Editor, for the opportunity you have already given mo in replying to the false charges brought against Waikato contractors by the late Cambridge Highway District Board. I quite understand this must also'finish the controversey on my part.— Yours faithfully, James Forrest, Hautapu, July 28th, 1871.

The Homan Catholics and the EduI cation Question. —The following notice of motion is on the Order Paper:—Mr J. C. Brown: To move, "That the petition of the Roman Catholics of New Zealand on the subject of education, and the report of the Public Petitions Committee thereon, be referred to a select committee, with power to call for persons and papers, and to take evidence and to report within fourteen days. Such committee to consist of Mr Whitaker, Dr. Wallis, Mr Johnston, Mr Curtis, Mr Bo wen, Mr J. E. Brown, the Hon. Mr Gisborne. Mr McLean, Mr Shrimski, and the mover." The petition referred to was sent from an aggregate meeting of Roman Catholics, held at Dunedin. This petition, and also several others about Bible-read-ing in schools, have been before the Public Petitions Committee, which resolved that, as they concerned questions of policy, they should be remitted to the Government. J. C. Brown wants the subject dealt with a special committee, but the attempt will be resisted.

Zadiesawl Gentlemen wishing to furnish their Houses would be well repaid by a visit to the City Hall Arcade, the finest Show-room in New Zealand, and containing the largest stock of Carpets and greatest variety of Furniture to be seen anywhere in the colony. The large business transacted in this Establishment is due to the very moderate prices charged and zealous attention paid to the wants and wishes of its patrons. The Proprietors have successfully initiated the London system of combining the various departments of Drapery, Ladies and Gentlemen's Clothing, with House fur- ' nishing in all its branches. Country Settlers' requirements are especially studied, and, as regards Furniture, they will find made, ready for delivery, Sittingroom Suites in great variety—Bedroom Furniture, comprising hundreds of Bedsteads in Iron, Brass, and "Wood—Bedding of all sizes, Wardrobes, Chests of Drawers, Washstands, Toilet Glasses and Tables, Toilet "Ware, Fenders and Fireirons, &c, &c, &c. Purchasers find it to their advantage to deal with the undersigned, us they keep goods especially suited for their establishments. Give your order to Holloway, Garlick, and Cranwell, City Hall Arcade, Queen-street, Auckland. The newly referred to Disease in Sheep.—At a" recent meeting of the Auckland lustitute, a letter was received from Mr Joseph Bell, of Maungakaramea, referring to the paper of Major Mair relating to maggots found in the brains of sheep. He said it was a very old form of gadfly. It lodged its eggs in the nostrils of sheep, and the young insect, whioh had eleven rings, and wus covered with short bristles, crawled up into the frontal sinus.