To the Editor of the " New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator."-

Si*. — On mv return from South America', I was deeply concerned to learn the calamitous events which have, occurred during my absence. Of the inhuman masiacre at Wairau, with all its distreising consequences, I can hardly trust myself to speak; for I feel to enter into the subject would occupy too much of your space, and open ag»in'with many, wounds that have hardly yet ceased to bleed. Is deploring however -the loss of so many valuable settlers, whose talents and industry had already done so much for the advancement of Nelson; I cannot withhold my tribute or respect to the merriory of Captain Wakefield, whose kindness and affability to all who approached him, whose unwearied industry and attention to the 1 interests of the settlement committed to his charge, must cause His lost to be felt in no 'ordinary degree. ' , A duty yet remains to be .performed— the settlements of Wellington and Nelson, are bound together by a community of interest* and feeling, aud we ought to mark our sense of the calamity which has befallen t)* and our sympathy with the relatives of those who have been thus sacrificed. I would therefore venture to suggest through your columns, the propriety of a public subscription to erect a. monument to the memory of the unfortunate" sufferers at Wairan, ana that it may be in the power of every settler to contribute; I would propose that the smallest sums be received, and that no private subscription should exceed 10s. We dp not require a magnlficient monument, which weaudbe ■Woobm* tent with ou? present depressed ckcurastances,buj;itwoWji be very right to consecrate td the departed, ifome anttnn| memorial wbioh will witntocto posterity our, ,«?pfMttt»» of their worth. I am Sir, ydur*i«dtent Mrvut, Kdmta* Bw*,m.