COMPENSATION.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2675, 12 February 1866, Page 5

COMPENSATION.

To the Editor of the Daily Southern Cross. Sib, — Having obtruded a few remarks on the former message (No. 3) of the Superintendent to the Pro* vincial Council, in which. I ventured to differ in some of the opinions and statements, I again beg to trespass on your space, in reference to Message No. 14, presented yesterday to the Provincial Council There can be no doubt but the mass of the claimants (all the reasonable ones at any rate), as well as the public, will be content with the candid and straightforward course intimated therein. Bis Honor is determined to grapple with the question and bring it to an end, and have no humbug in the matter ; and great will be the satisfaction to find that some portion of the claims will be paid forthwith in cash, and the residue at no distant date. But I state most decidedly, what I believe will be echoed by the claimants and the public generally, that in order to effect the most instant benefit every exertion should be made to make the fir»t instalment in cash as large as possible — not less than one* half. This, with a well-grounded assurance that the balance will be made available in the shape stated at an early period, will at once enable numbers to re* sume the cultivation of their gardens, procure scock, &c, and there is little doubt but that a large portion of the cash paid to the claimants will be steadily expended in labour, causing immediate relief to many now wanting employment, ana in so much relieving the Government from a good deal of heavy and not very productive expenditure for these people. I think it also essential to the ends of justice that the same Commissioner who has already heard these cases should continue the investigation — and no other — as he alone is thoroughly cognizant not only of the evidence itself, but of many apparently small matters and particulars connected with it, which may have influenced him in his award, either for or against the applicant. And if the Commissioner was obliged to pass some doubtful claims, for want of sufficient evidence to rebut the statements, he at any rate will have a pretty clear notion in his own mind of such as were clear and straightforward, and really bonu, fide, as well of those that had some suspicion, attached to them, and while contra evidence might either clear up or condemn certain items. If the Government are in possession of, or can obtain, evidence to consolidate any of these awards (although that should have been done at the first hearing), by all means let them do so ; but at the same time let them take the onus and the expense upon themselves. I trust, therefore, that the Government will carry out their apparently liberal views, and especially make a good instalment in cash, and they will have the gratification of seeing the effect to be almost immediate— of witness-ing the activity and content in many a hitherto forlorn and neglected homestead, soon to assume its wonted appearance and cultivations, again to gladden the eye and to benefit its owner and the province ; for it will not be simply relief to the various owners, but each in hia way will bo benefiting the circle around him j and, I repeat, a liberal instalment in cash will effect. In proceeding with any of the awards to be reopened, of course parties will be allowed to amend their claims. If they are to be subject to deductions, they must also have the benefit of inserting any omissions, although, some few might be cut down consideiably, and some have certain items struck out or reduced. I know many persons who would now, from knowledge gained from past experience, as well as from after recollections very materially increase their amount of claim. At all events we now seem proceeding in the right direction ; and the claimants owe the present Superintendent and his Executive a debt of gratitude for the promptitude and courage they have shown in dealing with this important question, and which will tend beyond anything I can express to increase their present popularity. — I have, &c, An Oot-sbttlek. Auckland, February 6, 1866.