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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 3, Issue 132, 31 March 1860, Page 5

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To tlw Editor of the SaivTce's Bay Herald. Sir, — Excuse my trespassing again on your space, as, in doing so, I plead the opinions of many besides myself. From anything we can see to the contrary, this war will become general — it may at least, and if so how unprepared we are. Time is precious. The settlers at Taranaki had time to come into the town, and even to transport their goods, &c. ; but then no blow nad been struck. Now that the war has begun in earnest, and were the natives of this Province to obey the call of the runanga and turn out, the law of utu being in full force, reprisals would at once be made ah 1 over the country ; the more scattered the white population the more frequent would be the attacks — as by that means the natives would at once secure tttu and arms. When are the militia to be called out ? We hear little town news in the country districts, except through your columns. I would respectfiiily though earnestly urge the Council to take immediate steps for selfdefence, and the erection of stockades. I think the feelings of the country settlers ought to be considered, and self-defence provided for. Ido not trust the professed friendship of the natives — I would be willing to " let alone for let alone ;" but I would do so in a defensive state, and ready at a moment to resent aggression. Precaution is not alarmisin. The natives are ready to obey when called on — they are provided with arms, and would soon procure more by sacking the houses of the settlers. Hoping some immediate step will be taken, as I think when the natives do make a move it will be suddenly, I beg to remain, Sir, Very truly yours, It. Donaldson.

I To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Herald. " Alas ! poor Ahuriri, I knew it well — It was a Province of infinite worth." — Shakespeare, ivith variations. Sib, — Your dear little paper is just to hand up here, and I observe that my friend Mr. Cooper is again most vigorously attacked for not going to see the Wairoa and Mohaka pets, and to buy them a little land. They should consider well before abusing a gentleman ; he has a little run and lots of sheep to look after, and wool to get ready for shipment ; and all these things, Sir, must be properly attended to before any other business. We are all alarmed up here at the new Land Regulations : we did not think that His Honor the Superintendent was so favorable to the runholders, Sir — he used to be of opposite views. It will be a most serious affair, if this most beautiful Province is to be leased to about 40 men for a number of years to come, just for a number of sheep to increase and multiply, and these 40 men to get rich. When our friends at home hear this they will say, " Oh ! Hawke's Bay is leased : we can't go there," Numbers of rich persons have .already been here and gone away again. Yes, Sir, this is true. Mr, Colenso has right manfully attacked this artful dodge of this runholding Council. Yes, we must prevent this Bill being smuggled up to the Governor; we must burk ifc, and petition against it to a man. Such a Bill, Sir — so cunning, so artful, so sinuouB — must not pass into law. The " little 4io-acre wretches" bless 'em, are to be located at a distant part of the Province, that they may not come " between the wind and the nobility" of these 40 choice gentlemen Bhepherds.

We are also alarmed, Sir, at so many of the councilmen earning salaries. There was Mr. Tiffen, a rich man, running his sheep over 15,000 fine broad acres, getting £400 per annum. There is the Eev. Mr. Colenso, a rich man, -with lots of land everywhere, giving a handsome subscription to the Church — and he, Sir, gets two salaries ; he tells us, too, in your little paper, .that he is overworked and underpaid, and that he is only working for our good. He, Sir, is a very nice gentleman. 1 Then, Sir, we have the noble Doctor— also a liberal contributor to our Church — with one or two little salaries, which, he tells us, are soon to be increased. Very good, Sir. Then we have Mr. the Speaker, as a Sydney paper tells us, getting two guineas a day as long as the Council sits ; — and, Sir, when the Treasurer is appointed, what a jolly patriotic band there will be. The people should not let members of the Council accept salaries ; they should be called upon to resign their seats like honorable men. Now, Sir, let me ask the people of Napier a small question, but of great importance — Can the country be honestly and independently represented with the Council packed and paid ? Diogenes — come out of that 'ere tub. I am, Sir, yours, Near Napier, March 27, 1860.