VANDALISM AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3320, 7 March 1868, Page 3

VANDALISM AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

To the Editor ot the Daily Southern Ckosa. Sir,— During the last day or two the " man in the street" ha* been circulating reports relati»e the intentions of Mr. Stafford, in connection with the reception to be given to 'Bis Royal Highnevs, and likewise with regard to the management of the Government Home ground", &c« JVJa<iy of these reports may be true, and, after being at the expense of erecting a ball-room, theie very likely, may be no ball ; but surely it is taxing the -Credulity of the people of Auckland a little too muchjtp be asked to believe that the furniture which has been purchased to make the Government House habitable is to be removed to "somewhere in Cook's htraita" up soon as the Prince leaves Auckland ; or tbat some of the tree* in frontof Government House are to be cut down in order to improve the appearance of the lawn, an operation very like cutting ;off » lady's Eyebrows to improve her beauty. Should either of tbe*e reports be true, the people of Auckland can only put upon it this interpretation, that Mr. Stafford is determined to make Government House unfitted, even for the carnal residence of hi* Excellency. ' , As an old supporter of Mr. Stafford in the, Hou«», where, believing in his policy, I have consistently voted with him, I feel a difficulty injbelieving him capable of tbe«e acts of spoliation; but air the " man in the street" is sometimes right, I think it WO uld be as well to take measures to prevent their accomplishment. Mr. Stafford's projeot for improving > the lawn should, if necessary, be prevented by.- force./, With regard to the removal of the Jurnitare,. some of our , leading men should, on his Excellency's' arrival, wait upon him and protest against it ; jand from what we have heard of the character of Sir jGk. Bowen, I believe their protest would not be/ in vain.— Yours, *c, An A^QKLakdm. March 6, 1868.