Untitled

Hawke's Bay Herald, 10 November 1857, Page 2

0 To the Editor of the Hawhe's Bay Herald Sir, — I have read with attention Messrs Russell and Pharazyn's circular to the electors of Ahuriri, published yesterday, and, as my power of comprehension is rather dull, I wish to enquire of you, how the Provincial Government, as they state, "were prevented carrying out improvements in this part of the Province because they were not fully supported by us." Who stopped them ? — So far as I can recollect, they allowed the first three years of their power to go by without doing anything — though they were liberal enough of promises, and performed to the amount of £50,000 of public works in the neighbourhood of Wellington. Are you aware, Sir, of any opposition having been offered by settlers here this time, or before the end of last year — the time when Mr. Purvis Russell himself came up from Wellington, breathing nothing but separation, and fanned the flame that burst forth at the meeting of 31st December last — when he denounced "the embellishment, of the homestead at the expense of the outstation." We must bear in mind, too, that the very day when Mr. Russell made his celebrated speech at the meeting at Ahuriri, Dr. Featherston opened the fourth session of the Council at Wellington ; and that, out of the enormous sum of £175,000, affirmed by him to be available for Public works during the next two yeais, he only proposed to expend a 35th part here, or £5000, on the road to Ruataniwha ; although he calculated on getting 4 or 5 times that amount from the land sales and the District during that period . And Ido not recollect that either of our members, Mr. Russell or Mr. Duncan, offered any opposition to the Government measures during last session. It is asked in the circular "Is it likely that any Government will refuse an expenditure (on trunk lines) that will increase the value of its property to an xmknown amount" ? Common people can only answer they have done it, and for reasons best known to themselves. The authorities at Wellington for several years made fools of the settlers here by casting to them liberal promises unaccompanied by any improvements ; and, of the apple set aside for them this year, a very small slice only has yet been dealt out through the few road men now at Te Aute ; whilst the more fortunate citizens of Wellington have been filled to repletion from our land levenues and the English loans. In conclusion I would ask you if the gentlemen whose names are to the circular have really no private interest to forward by warmly supporting a Government which has got so much out of us, and at the same time treated us with so much neglect. I am &c, Alpha. Napier, : Nov. 7, 1857.