THE THORNDON RECLAMATION.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 62, 10 September 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE THORNDON RECLAMATION.

TO THH EDITOR. Sir— l have read in your paper a letter signod " Born Colonist," which rolates to the Thorndon roolamation and Mr. Wakefiuld's connection with it. That letter contains an extraordinary statement, wliiah deserving of moro than passing notico. IB It states that by losing the Thorndon reclamation tho city of Wellington lost a quarter of a million storling. Woll, we citizens of Wellington, who have to pay tho taxos, know that part of the statement to bo perfectly true. But there is anothor part of tho lotfcor in regard to which I wonld like to ask you a question, and I hopo you will bo good enough to answer it. Is it the fact that Mr. V/akoficld took such an activo part against tho Bill as " Born Colonist " ropreBontB? In short, is it trno that Mr. Wakofiold killed the Bill, for that is what " Born Colonist " in substance really says ? We readers of your papor havo not tho Hansard at our elbows. You havo. You can toll us whothor it is a faot that Mr. Wakefield fought tho Bill at ovcry stage, and whether ho finally beat it out of tho House. " Born Colonist " may bo somo opponent of Mr. Wakefield, and may have impartod a colouring to tho statement he makes, but very strong and tolling statements they aro, if truo. Will you kindly look at your Hansard, and tell us if thoy aro true ? It is a mattor of no small momont that we citizens of Wellington should havo lost a quarter of a million Btorling through tho act of one man. I am, &0., Taxpayer. Bth Septembor, 1887. ["Born Colonist's" statements are perfeatly corroot. Mr. Wakofield lod tho opposition to tho Bill, the effoot of which he himsolf said would bo to relievo tho inhabitants of Wellington from local taxation for 14 or 15 years. Mr. Barton rofused to say a word in its defonce. The motion to go into committeo was carried by two votes ; but in committee Mr. Wakefield moved that the Chairman do loavo the chair, which was carried by 37 to 2G, and the Bill was killed. (Hansard, vol. 30, pp. 1170-73.)— Ed. E.P.I