LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 952, 16 June 1868, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — I observe in your Saturday's paper that you allude, in the report of the Provincial Council's proceedings, to the complimentary telegram which I sent on the 9th inst. to his Honor the Superintendent. This was the first telegram that had passed over the line, and was, it appears, handed by his Honor to the Speaker, who ordered it to be read. On this being done, yoxi report that Major Lambert rose and said he considered it was not right for the Council to receive communications from private individuals ; he wished to know who Mr. llussell was ; and he would more that the Council do not receive the message. My object in now addressing you is not to discuss the point whether the Provincial Council might not, without too much condescension, have just courteously responded to the telegram which announced the commencement of a fresh advance in the path of progress by the province. I had no intention whatever to ruffle their dignity, and I did not even ask his Honor to have my telegram read or communicated to the Council. Could I have entertained a suspicion that such an event as the opening up of instantaneous communication between the capital of the province and an extreme and distant part of it, would elicit any other feeling but that of gratification on the part of the Provincial Council as a body, I should certainly not have put myself to the expense of seven shillings and eightpence for the telegram. It appears, however, that the Council generally took the thing as it was meant, and expressed no sympathy with the unexpected opposition that the telegram evoked. I feel confident that in the hurry and excitement occasioned by the Grovern6r's visit, -your printer has substituted Major Lmibert's name for some one else's, who was small enough to make the occasion an opportunity of indulging a little miserable ill-feeling. Major Lambert has no occasion to ask " who Mr. Russell is," as he has been a very frequent visitor at my house, and on terms of great intimacy, for m&ny years. I should deeply regret if I could for a moment believe the gallant Major capable of so far forgetting good feeling and ordinary politeness as to go out of his way, on such an occasion, to make remarks so needlessly offensive. 1 trust, in your Tuesday's issue, you will correct the misprint of Major Lambert's name in connection with the report referred to. — I am, &c, H. H. Rttsseil/. Mount Herbert, Juno 15. P.S. — 1 am the more convinced that there is a misprint, as I have now before me a telegram from Major Lambert, dated 11th June, 11-25 a.m., In which there are these words, " Council would not receive your message." [We have no reason to think our report inaccurate. — Ed.]