CAPTAIN WHITAKER AND TROOPER GRESHAM.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1402, 28 June 1881, Page 3

CAPTAIN WHITAKER AND TROOPER GRES HAM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Captain Whitaker's lengthyepistle, this clay published in your valuable journal, has greatly amused me. He thereby constitutes himself the champion of the Government on this question of the pay due to the Cavalry. His letter reminds me of an old Freuch proverb, of which, for Captain Whitaker's benefit, I will give the translation : it is " Wiio g\cuses himself, accuses himself." Captain Wbitakev has not attempted, throughout his letter, to refute anyone of my statements made at Te Awamutu on the 4th June instant, either in reference to the liability of the Government to pay the Waikato Cavalry their £0 per man, or to the accusation which I make against that Government of having broken their contract with us. As Captain Whitaker made, jn tho fivsfc instance, a souii-politioal apeeoh, ho oon* soquently laid himself open to oomment. Now, Captain Whitaker, among his other fulminations against me, talks of my making political capital out of volunteering. On this point I crave leave to refer your readers to an advertisement appearing in the Waikato Times of 20th July, 1878, which is as follows, and speaks volumes :—": — " Waikato Cavalry Volunteers, Hamilton Contingent. — A meeting of the above Troop is called for Wednesday next, 24th instant, at 10 a.m., to receive pay and sign acqittance roll. — F, A. Whitakeh, Lieutenant command* ing." This 24.th Juno 1878 was the very day on which the poll was taken for the County of Waipa, at which Mr. F. A. Whitaker hoped to obtain a majority of votes for the vacant Parliamentary seat. Of course nearly every member of the Troop had a vote. I remember, at the time, that some unkind folks then spoke of the gp.inaiden.co as an attempt to make political capital out of Volunteering. Referring again to the letter, it is really sad to see that Captain Whitakor finds it necessary to state that he is an enthusiastic Volunteer— but perhaps that fact does require a little bolstering up when his ooinrades remember that the gallant officer did not accompany his Troop to the Thames — although he d d go part of the way thither ; and when we all bear in mind that he recently went through the form of tendering the resignation of his Captaincy. I have been a Volunteer since 1859 and I leave it to those who have drilled with me to decide whether I am an enthusiastic and a true Volunteer. In order that no misconception may arise as to the reason of my action in this matter, and to show that I only wish tho Regiment to be treated fairly by the Government, without caring- for my own remuneration, allow me, sir, to state that any pay which may eventually come to my share, in respect of the late November and Easter drills will be given by me to the "A Troop" for prizes. Believing, as I do, that we are entitled to £9 per nun, I have refused to sign the pay sheet for the £2 2s, and I am informed that such sum will consequently lie returned to Wellington. At the same'time I have handed to the captain of my Troop, my own cheque for £2 2s, as I know that he has advanced, money for helmets, &c, on the assumption that the pay would be received, audl ;cannbt allow hint 'to be out of pocket by, that transaction. lam truly sorry l it I have offended. Captain, Whitaker by ' alluding >to - him, las M the s member,,for, Waipa." 1 ; I wilj strive aql^tio do so

tress himself on thiß point, as I fancy that a much grieved constituency has already made up its mind not to give the gallant officer any more gratuitous journeys to Wellington. Such portions of Captain Whitaker's letter as refer personally to myself, and are scurrilous, I pass by with the remark that abuse is not argument, and notwithstanding the noble officer's " essay on smartness, I fear that a very largo proportion of the Regiment will still remain under the impression that to quote his own words, Captain Whitaker " did assist to curtail his men's pay." Allow me to thank you, sir, for inserting my former letters on this question. — I am, &c, Trooper Gresham. Te Awamutu, 25th June, 1881.