Correspondence

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume 639, Issue VII, 12 October 1878, Page 3

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The Editor is desirous of affording every reasonable, facility for the discussion of public subjects, but it must be understood that he is in no way responsible for the opinions exdressod by correspondents. AN EXPLANATION. TO ______ EDITOR. Sir, — As it has been stated in your issue of Saturday last that I have repudiated the proceedings at the meeting held on the 25th ultimo at Tauranga, I trust you will allow me -'some space in your columns to explain what part I have taken in the matter. Shortly before the meeting alluded to, I wrote a private letter to Mr Stewart, in which I pointed out somewhat in detail that it seemed clear that he was bound _b bear all expences of surveying, and also that such a control should be exercised over settlers to prevent them fixing their own boundaries by anticipation. Before I had time to receive any reply to this letter, I attended the meeting and cordially joined, in the resolutions arrived at, as I considered that there was room for moderate protest on account of the apparent delay, and the general ignorance of many of the party as to what was actually being done. But I was not a very active dissentient, and in forwarding to Mr Stewart a report of the meeting, I was careful to say that I was not individually responsible for the opinions expressed thereat. I subsequently addressed to you the letter appearing in your paper of the 28th ult., feeling that the reported proceedings did not fully deal with the subject. At the meeting held by Mr Stewart at Mr M. Andrew's house, at Katikati, on the Ist inst., I noticed with regret that besides myself, Mr Dean was the only landholder present who had attended the Tauranga meeting. I think that those who had protested in Tauranga at . the absence of Mr Stewart from tho settlement were in default in not attending an appointment at a convenient part of the Katikati block, where all matters could he discussed with Mr Stewart in person. It is reported in your paper of the sth instant, that I have expressed unqualified approval of Mr Stewart's action in the matter. I merely accepted his explanation to the effect contained in his published letter to me of the Ist inst. There would have been no use dwelling on past grievances when we were told that Mr Patrick would lose no time in' making the sub-divisions of the block; in fact, I had personnally the least reason to complain, as he was instructed to commence laying out a road which would form one of my boundaries, and his tent is now on my own allotment. I have now resided above a week in a temporary hut on my ground, and am engaged in burning fern, clearing, &c, and I should advise all others who can to do likewise. Little is gained by a mere look at the ground, and return to Tauranga. I continue sanguine as to the eventual success of the settlement. Although I am aware that many have very sufficient re. sons for being disappointed. 1 trust all those who do not mean to abandon the settlement will pull along with it — let them for instance come and sign the petition I have prepared for the establishment of a telegraphic station in the vicinity of the Uretara Post Office. We are promised Kauri Point as a township, but the town has not been built yet, and in the meantime the Uretara centre ought to have a chance of becoming something of a village, with all the modern improvements. — I am, &c, Fred. A. Purvis. . Katikati, 9th Octobor, 1878. ♦ - A CORRECTION. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — In your issue of the Bth instant, in which you describe a meeting of a fow of the No. 2 settlers, you state that Canon Johnston has 680 acres, the Hon. R. Rowley 190 aores. ' Allow me to state that these figures are inaccurate, Canon Johnston having 500 and [ Mr Rowley 100 acres respectively. — Tours, I &c, Arthur W. Fisher. Mount Stewart, Katikati, Ootober 10, 1878. [Our reporter understood Canon Johnston to state that he had taken up 80 acres for his servant.— Ed. B.P.T.]