LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 943, 16 May 1868, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. Sir, — Now that everyone is endeavoring to find some means by which, we can economize and eucoui'ago manufactures among ourselves, I think it is a pity that more attention lias not been paid to the growth of the grape and tlio making of wine. As to the question of this country being within the right latitude, there can be no doubt. Some hundreds of gallons of good wine are made every year at Poverty Bay and other places in this Island, which only want to be known and encouraged to be drank all over the colony, and which would put a stop to much of the abominable grogdrinking which goes on everywhere, to the destruction of hundreds of valuable lives. We used to hear of a scheme for getting up a _ company to start a vineyard at the Mahia peninsula, or at some other suitable situation ; but, like a great many other good intentions, it is laid aside for a time, we must hope, to appear again. If something cannot be done in the matter, it would be very beneficial to this colony^ as far as sobriety and the pleasuro of drinking wholesome beverages go, if the duty could be taken off' Australian wines. — I am, &c., Bacchus. Napier, May 11, 1868. Sin, — It is hardy fair that you should be kept longer in the dark as to the dire troubles that breed in this secluded spot, which may be destined to spread their influence on the face of creation, and, for ought we know, perhaps change the venerable countenance of nature. The dark clouds that for weeks past have loured over our social horizon, carrying the thunderbolt in their breasts, are about discharging their terrors, and the placid waters of our little Pedlington teapot are agitated by the fiercest storm. To use another metaphor, the inflammation that has long consumed our body politic has concentrated into a furious boil, and is on the point of suppuration. To the actors that have fostered and to the causes that have led to this dreadful state of things, I will act the part of gentleman usher, speak a prologue — For us and for our tragedy, Bespeaking your kind clnmency, &c, and introduce to your readers, first, the gentleman catspaw. With nose in the air and legs thrust two inches further than usual through his trousers, an individual was seen, in the earlier part of the week before last", affixing a scrawl upon the walls of certain places where the public do most resort, inviting that important body to attend a grievance or indignation meeting at Mr. Taylor's, on Wednesday evening, the 29th April. The proclamation set forth that the ostensible object of the meeting was to consider the decision of tho Wairoa Resident Magistrate upon a recent case, wherein the convener had been defendant. The meeting came off, and the avowed object was lost sight of in the flood of other grievances. 1 may bo pardoned, therefore, if I, with scant cercmon3 r , follow that example, and reconsign this character to obscurity. The purpose gained, the " red herring " was pitched behind tho fire as soon as the scent was strong enough. Next requiring notice is a gentleman who has long hankered after distinction, and who was only prevented, by the nicest management, from becoming a " deputation " long ago. Always ready for any emergency, like the Brook Green volunteer, he no sooner sees a cow's horns over the hedge, than he " forms himself into a square and prepares to receive cavalry." He recalls to one's recollection the lines — See where the monument, towering to the skies, Like a tall bully, lifts its head, and lies. The next performer is one who, in his professional capacitjs has long been before the public, and, if his ideas are as crooked as his bridges, he'll not much help the undertaking. He has hitherto signally failed to " make our ways straight," and his inability to supply a gap in society may be judged of from his total failure to fill up one in oifr roads. Passing over, as intellectually below contempt, the walking gentlemen, chorusses, and usual stage lumber, I come in order to the manager, the dens ex machina of this coil. Here I must pause, to retire behind the scenes and indulge in a little private amazement. There, it's over and J. the better of it. Deal leniently as we may with him, tho least that can be said is, never was shallower pretention joined

to more contented self-sufficiency, and never did poorer merit meet more munificent patronage. Sir, the designs of these gentlemen have long been carefully veiled, but personal ill-feeling, envy, hatred, malice, and all uncharitableness, have long urged them to tear aside the thin disguise and appear in their true colours. The pretended desire for economy and the public weal covers but one idea, and that to procure, if possible, the dismissal of the gentleman holding the office of Hesident Magistrate here. To aid the disguise, consideration of private grievances has been merged into the drawing up of a memorial, urging the. advisability of dispensing with a paid magistrate's court. Had the matter been properly ventilated ; had the meeting been called to consider the propriety of urging upon the Government the establishment of petty sessions, it might fairly and honorably nave claimed a share of public attention. As it is, the design is so ill concealed, that aid must be refused to a justifiable object on account of the paltry motives that lie at the bottom of the undertaking. It will, they say, obtain the support of the natives. When were they ever found unwilling to rebel against law and order ? Let me say here, that the present R.M. has deserved well of his country, in that he has inspired in the native mind a wholesome respect of the law ; and if anything could be more condemnatory than another of these proceedings, it is the very fact they have the support of the Maories. Numerically speaking, the movers represent but a small section of the community. The Government have to consider its bearings upon a native population some 2000 in number. It is absurd to suppose that Government will listen to suggestions emanating from such sources and prompted by such motives. On the other hand, unless the Government are prepared to forfeit the respect of all honorable-minded men, they will unhesitatingly express their disapproval, in a marked manner, of the conduct of at least two individuals, both Government officers — one of whom officiated as chairman at the meeting, and was known to entertain a private grudge against the E.M., and another, who is an active member of the committee appointed to carry out the objects of the meeting. If they fail to do this, then good-bye to legitimate authority, and welcome anarchy and misrule, as introductory to a new era of good government. With the profanitim vulgus I have nothing to say. It is a notorious fact that if one ass brays upon a common, every bush that shelters a donkey will yield up its tenant to join in the chorus. Such is sympathy amongst asses. Nothing ever written has my more cordial assent than the noble sentiment uttered by a highly enlightened and prescient old lady, when she said, her bosom doubtless burning the while with honest indignation — " I hate a fool." In the interest of all parties, it is to be hoped the matter will drop, and the Government will do well to stop further hcemorrage by applying the actual cautery in^ the quarter indicated. It would be injustice to the gentleman assailed to say any more in his defence than that he is an upright public servant, who has faithfully, to the best of his ability, followed the line of conduct laid down for him ; that, in trying circumstances of personal danger, he obtained the thanks and esteem of those with whom he was associated. To say he has no faults, would be to declare him more than human. A magisterial bench is not a bed of roses, especially amongst so litigious a population, and I for one sincerely believe that in all eases he has endeavoured conscientiously to discharge himself of his duties. Fair play is an Englishman's privilege, and that he has not had. If it is to be war, let it be open, honest, manly war. Some one told Charles Lamb that certain parties to whom he had given offence intended to "lampoon" him. "If they do," answered Charles, "by George ! I'll ' Lamb-pun ' them ! " — I am, &c, Echo. Wairoa, May 8, 1868. Sih,— jN"o two things afford Englishmen so much pleasure as having a grievance and being allowed to sign their names. Of the latter weakness Mr. Micawber was an illustrious example ; doesn't everybody remember the relish with which he presented " Truddles" with his notes of hand at various dates, for the advances which that amiable young man had made him. When these two pleasures can be combined together, the temptation is irresistible, and men will ride ten miles to enjoy it. Upon no other grounds can I comprehend the conduct of a large number of persons in this place, who have appended their valuable autograph to a wretched document, purporting to be a memorial to the "Hereditary Boot-jack," or other lofty official, on the subject of certain grievous wrongs which a long-suffering population have experienced at the hands of the Magistrate of the district. A meeting was got up in a sort of semicovert way, attended by everybody who had at any time been a defeated suitor in the E.M. Court, and naturally resulted in the most unanimous series of resolutions, condemnatory of that unfortunate gentleman's proceedings. As one, however, of the Wairoa settlers, I am anxious to relieve a portion of our community from the stigma of being parties to what we consider an tinderhand, unfair, un-English proceeding, and to place on x'ecord the fact that we view the whole thing in that light and no other. In the first place, had it been the wish of the promoters to bring the force of public opinion to bear with any weight upon this or any other subject, they ought to have given the utmost publicity to their intentions; and, having carried intention into effect, should be prepared to face the public with the record of their opinion. They have lamentably shirked both plain duties. The meeting was a contemptible one, as representing but one view, and the committee appointed to carry out the business, conducted their proceedings with the utmost secrecy. When the wonderful production of their united wisdom was complete, it was not laid fairly open for signature, but smuggled about in breast pockets; and (availing themselves of a knowledge of the weakness before alluded to, as inherent in the nature of Englishmen) parties mysteriously beckoned forth out of public rooms, and " Come, old fellow, you'll sign this," generally settled the business. "Bless the man," said my aunt, "he'd sign his name if the woi'ld was coming to an end." It is on record, hoVvever, that Micawber pointed his oyster knife at the twins. Not the only man who signed in haste to repent at leisure.. Many who have signed this precious memorial are unaware of its import, and many more incapable of three consecutive ideas on any given subject under the sun. I should occupy your space too freely did I say all I think upon this stupid subject. My object is that the document referred to shall not go forth as the expolenfc of the deliberate opinions of all the Wairoa settlors. When there, is clearly a svant of unanimity, the Government will unquestionably allow Mr. Deighton's 18 pears (or more) of public service to have some weight against the machinations of i cowardly and self-seeking cabal. — I im, &c, "W". Wairoa, May 8, 1868.