LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1034, 26 March 1869, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspomlonfs. Sib,— There is a certain amount of instruction in the very ignorance displayed by those around us. In the advertising line one stumbles over some queer things, in the shape of paradoxes and flat contradictions, which, are embarrassing, and puzzle the keenest wit to solve. Sometimes we hear of " general females " being wanted, in the shape of servants. The sole fitness for a boy to act as cowherd is, that " he must be able to milk himself." It is not long since we. saw that a " gold lady's brooch" had been lost; and a " silver-headed gentleman's" riding- whip had been found. These little matters are certainly not worth troubling one's self about"; but I think they would give poor Lindley Murray the staggers if he chanced to hear of them. From a common sense point of view, I should like to know what is the meaning of the Militia and Volunteer notice which appeared in your paper on Tuesday last. The first part seems to be very well disposed, if the second part would but let it alone. But the very absurdity of its behests puts a definition to the foregoing ■which in itself it does not possess. Now, sir, is our worthy adjutant serious when he proclaims that " until further orders " Nos. 1 and 2 companies of Militia are to drill every Saturday at 4 o'clock, commencing on Friday, the 2nd prox." At any rate, such is the command, that for those companies to appear in 'the most improved stylo, it is necessary they should " fall in" on the Friday previous. Failing this meaning, what are we to understand r "Why, you blockhead," I think I hear my military friend say, " that the Sines arid No. 8 may know when to begin their change of drill." Well, if so, it is in its wrong place ; and if you take that from No. 2 paragraph, you leave the Militia in the dark as to when their weekly drills begin. Certainly, as it stands at present, the Volunteers and No. 8 are to fall in on Friday next the 26th, and Nos. 1 and 2 on Friday, the 2nd April (pity it wasn't the Ist), so as to be prepared for the following day (Saturday). — I am, &c, Napier, March 24. Eambod, Sib, — A few evenings since I was seated in my easy chair, dreamily looking over the HebaM). I had read of wars and rumors ; I read of the devastation caused by floods, and of a meeting which showed very little hope of cooperation in checking such mischiefs ; I read of wool ships lost, and very elaborate enquiries into the reason why ; of meetings held to oppose any tax for education, or any other purpose. I further read of bad roads, low price of wool, boiling down stock, unchecked fires, and a formidable list of insolvents. I read of everybody trying to thwart everybody else ; and of debts, difficulties, and disasters without end : and I fell into a reverie. I thought the stagnant swamps around Napier were suddenly converted into a busy town. A railway train was just arrived from Wellington, and was leaving for the North. I jumped into a carriage and found myself at Meanee. I walked abroad ; but, lo ! I was as a stranger in a strange land. Houses, gardens, orchards, factories, churches, all the signs of a dense and prosperous population met my eye. The roads were good; the fields were drained ; and I saw no sign of swamps. Presently I came to a village school, and I fell into conversation with the Dominie, who was rusticating in his garden. I remarked that there did not seem to be any difficulty about the education rate in his vicinity, which remark seemed to puzzle him at first ; but on my explaining that I meant the tax in aid of education, he informed me that no tax was required, that in most parts of Hawke's Bay the population was numerous enough to support good schools, and enlightened enough to take advantage of them. I enquired where the population came from, and what they lived on P He informed me that the land was of the most fertile description, and that nature had provided unlimited water power and water carriage. I said I had never heard of these things, upon which he remarked that I . must be a stranger. II Don't you see," said he, " we are over a bed of artesian water at a high pressure, and we have only to tap the orust and we get a supply ad lib. We never suffer from drought, because we can irrigate every field with the utmost facility. We grow wonderful crops of roots and grain, and our pastures will carry 15 or 16 sheep per acre. Nature intersected our lands with water-courses, and we have converted all these into navigable canals by simply straightening, clearingandextendmgthem. . We nave good roads, but all the heavy traffic goes by water." "But," said I, " how about the floods P " " Oh ! " he answered, " we never get any floods to hurt, beyond stopping the traffic on some of the canals for a day or two. Formerly, I have heard, all these plains were flooded ; but since the canal was cut through the Tiffen meadows yonder (where you see that little steamboat), and the river banks were raised and piled here and there, we have had no bother with floods." I remarked on' the high state of cultivation I had observed, and enquired if much machinery was employed, and what power ■was used. He informed me that every kind of modern machinery was employed, . and mostly driven by water-power. " Wa-ter-power!" I exclaimed, "how do you get a fall on these flats P " " Plenty of ■water,, and over twenty feet fall anywhere you please," he replied. "Do you see that little machine over in Farmer Jones' yard? That is a turbine of two-horse-power, driven by an artesian well of sixinch bore. Some have water-wheels, but every farmer has one or the other. Thrashing, grinding, churning, sawing, chaff-cutting, all are done by water-power, and sometimes even ploughing and harrowing. The dairies are cooled in summer by water at 57 degrees, and every house has a natural fire engine. How could we help being prosperous?" "How, indeed P " said I. Just then I heard a horn, and saw a neat spring van approaching at a rapid rate. "Ah.'J see you are still boiling down," I remarked, supposing the horn to be the herald of the shilling legs ; but I was soon undeceived. It was, I found, the Hawke's Bay Daily Hebald, price one penny, guaranteed circulation 6000 daily. Of course, I invested a penny forthwith. I turned to look for the politics, but vrwrabik dictu, there was nothing about politics. The telegrams from Poverty Bay were all about the harvest ; those from Auckland and Wellington about imports and exports. I looked to the advertisements, from which I learned that all kinds of machinery were obtain- , able at the Napier foundry. The meatpreserving and export company announced a dividend of 16 per cent. ; the flax company wanted extra hands; the philosophical institute announced the arrival of 2000 volumes of standard literature, and a new series of scientific lectures by Professors Smith and Jones ; the Napier dock company required tenders for extension of their works; the woollen mills pro-prietary-were buyers of wool ; the beetroot sugar 'factory wanted 2000 tons more ■■■■toot* j arid the artesian company informed the public. that their new steam engine

would enable them to make a further reduction in their tariff. I found announcements of ale, peach cider, perry, honey, lonfher, Ac.,- all of local production. I turned to my friend the sohoolmaster, and enquired where the money came from for all theso improvements. He replied, " Money makes money ; nature gave us great advantages, and it w,as only required that we should develope them. The money never was wanting. I have heard," he continued, " that £60,000 was spent in the early days upon roads and bridges, which afterwards went to ruin; but at that time there was a mania for land, land, land. People spent their all in land, and. ran into debt tor more— good land, if they could get it—or, if not, anything that would carry a few hundred ragged sheep. By-and-bye, difficulties came ; the sparse and scattered population were harassed by natives, and there were no funds available to maintain the roads, &c. Now, the tables are turned; agriculture and manufactures are encouraged ; the natives who survive are quiet, and sharers in the general prosperity, for marauders would not dare to venture into such a populous district. The Europeans, radiating from the centre, are gradually improving and rendering productive all but the very worst of the lands, which formerly produced only fern and thistles." I enquired how the funds were raised for public improvements, and if turnpikes were still used. I could see that my question was rather more than my informant could reply to with perfect gravity ; but with a smile he intimated that an old turnpike gate was preserved in the Museum, as a relic of barbarism, and that a moderate land tax or rate was now levied, calculated upon the relative value of the different lands when highly improved, which, he said, compelled everyone to improve, or to part with his unproductive land ; because the tax was levied on what it ought to be, and not on what it was. I said, " I wonder how they would have relished this in 1869," and thereupon I laughed so heartily that I awoke. — I am, &c, Hip Van Winkle. " More in sorrow thau in anger."— Shakb. Sic, — In your article of this morning you have the following: — " The crowning act of folly on the part of Mr. Stafford and his colleagues, has been consummated in the withdrawal from Mr. M'Lean of the General Government agency. Ministers, by this act, hav*e deliberately insulted a public man of long experience and high standing, — they have raised on the part of 95 (?) per cent, of the European community the strongest feeling of indignation,—^and they have lost the only hold they could be said to have upon the friendly tribes, more especially those of the East Coast. We are glad to find that Mr. Stafford's insolent treatment of the chief magistrate of this Province is not likely to be overlooked, either in Hawke's Bay or other parts of New Zealand." I deeply regret that you should have thus written ; and, though I have neither time to waste nor inclination to enter on the unseemly political squabbles of the day, I feel that it would be wholly unbecoming in me to sit silent and allow such statements to go forth to the colony, without at least offering some passing notice. Why don't you put the matter truly before your readers P You know very well, that Mr. Stafford has not " insulted" nor offered any "insolent (sic) treatment to the chief magistrate of this province." The fact of the late Government agent, Mr. M'Lean, being at the same time our Superintendent, was a purely accidental one ; unless, indeed, you believe that Mr. M'Lean held that office because he was the Superintendent. Supposing that either of our former Superintendents held office now, and Mr. M'Lean residing here, — do you think that either of them would have been appointed General Government agent in preference to Mr. M'Lean, merely because one of them happened to be Superintendent P Or, supposing (if you can) that the Government agent in the Auckland province, Dr. Pollen, could go so far as to flatly disobey the Government of the colony, and they were consequently to dismiss him, would any of the Auckland papers (however politically opposed) speak of it ia such a silly way, as " insolent treatment" of a medical gentleman of long standing, or, of the medical profession ? Mr. M'Lean was the General Government agent here, and most persons (including myself} approved of the appointment, but all in reality for very various reasons. (Some of which you well know.) The moment however that Mr. M'Lean, as the agent, the subordinate officer of the Colonial Government, refused to carry out the instructions of his superiors, and not only so but opposed them, and (don't forget) gratuitously interfered with their arrangements, and that too at a highly critical period, what course remained ? As I view it, there really was no other alternative left, if the Government of the colony wished to keep up even the semblance of self respect for themselves as British gentlemen and as a Government. And, mark well, the present Ministry (like Mr. M'Lean) are all old colonists, persons too who have not only held office for many years but who are absolutely intimately acquainted with all our East Coast localiiies and people. But even were it otherwise ; were Mr. M'Lean everything that we could wish, or you suppose him to be, and the Colonial Government a set of greenhorns and ignoramuses, I cannot for the life of me see how it were possible for them to have aoted differently. Whether in civil, naval, or military service, such conduct on the part of a Government (even when right in itself) must ever be so followed up. History tells us of officers having been shot for much less. And have you (or, even, Mr. M'Lean,) duly reflected as to how such conduct, if passed over, would operate on our numerous colonial officers and Maori chiefs in the field P — none of whom (it appears) are overburdened with that first requisite of a soldier — prompt obedience. Put the case for a moment, Mr. Editor, to yourself. Supposing you chose to enjoy a little more of your duke domvm in the country, and you employed an agent— a sub-editor — in town to conduct your paper, how would you act if such an one chose to interfere with your arrangements and to disobey your orders,— your political or semi-political instructions P Would his classical attainments — his being deeply read in Vattel and D'Tocquevifie — or his great acquaintance with Maori matters save himP Heaven and Earth! how the Jupiter tonans of the Hebald office would come down ! Nasmyth's steam sledge-hammer, or Mr. Punch's genteel kick, would be as nothing to it. No doubt several who respect Mr. M'Lean are sorry that he is no longer the General Government agent,— but, as before, for various reasons. At the same time many of his friends are more sorry that, in the matter of flatly disobeying, he acted as he did. Some say, "he was led away to do so, in the heat of the moment, by his Fidus Achates or Mephistopheles " (whoever that may be) ; but while of that I know nothing, I do know this, that many of his friends have not so far lost all their old British belief of what is due to the higher powers as not to agree with me as above — namely, that things having gone so far the Colonial Government really had no other alternative.

■ ; You further call our attention to the ■ ! astounding faofc, that " the Gazette notice annulling the appointment of Mr. M'Lean as General Government agent was inserted without that gentleman having received any intimation whatever of what was intended." But here, too, I cannot see anything uncommon or irregular. I presume Mr. M'Lean heard from the Government in the usual way by the first mail, which no doubt also brought the Gazette to which you refer. Ido not see how it could possibly be otherwise with a Gazette published at Wellington and Mr. M'Lean living here at a distance ; unless you are prepared to show, that the said Gazette was got out purposely to give that one notification ; or, that Mr. M'Lean was not officially informed of it by the first mail. And when (in continuation) you go on to i say, " It was only, indeed, from the telefram that appeared in the Herald that he ecame acquainted with what had been done," — you surely forget, that you had already told us in the preceding Heeald (of 20fch), that "such was not altogether unexpected by you." And if not by you, an outsider, do you think it was less so by Mr. M'Lean himself? You also inform us of the indignation meetings which are forthwith to be held — >. at which, cataracts and avalanches (Oh ! terrible), are to be produced. "Well : you and I know a wrinkle about such meetings. Will it be a roaring for Bacchus, or for his train? The "cakes and ale," and pickings, and all that. But — and pray don't be offended with me— just consider for a moment how Mr. M'Lean- has ever himself acted towards those who, as Provincial Government officers, were his inferiors and subordinates. (Don't forget, please, that I emphatically say they were such for the time, through their being Provincial Government Officers.) Has he not mercilessly got rid of several of the best officers of the Provincial Government ofHawke's Bay— merely because they were politically opposed to him, or would not be his toadies P Don't wince, man. I'll give you their names. First, myself, William Colenso, whilom Provincial Treasurer and Inspector of Schools; did not Mr. M'Lean, in 1863, drive me from my offices, because, as member of the Provincial Council for the town of Napier, I opposed some of his schemes, though only fairly and openly, and in my place in the Council P Was any fault ever found, ever hinted, with the manner of my performing my official duties? And was I not summarily dismissed, although I had but lately come in to Napier from the country at great expense to reside in consequence of my office P Second, the late Crown Lands Commissioner (but he, good man, has so much of blessed charity, or of spaniel-like love, in his disposition, that his case can only be passingly referred to, albeit true). Third, our oldest and best chief clerk, Mr. H. E. Webb. Fourth, and more recently, our talented draughtsman, Mr. August Koch, — all, alike with myself, old officers of the Provincial Government from its very beginning, and all removed by Mr. M'Lean because we would not toady. And to this sad list, perhaps (as I now learn from your paper of this day) may also be added the name of Capt. Buchanan ! Now, such being the case, is it fair for Mr. M'Lean to wince, or to foster indignation ; or for his friends (sic) to simulate such a hubbub P Fair, why, man, he is just served as he himself has served others. In conclusion, it may, perhaps, be advantageous by-and-bye, for the province and for the colony, to have Mr. M'Lean again reinstated as General Government Agent. I should have no objections to that, provided that a responsible Purser be also appointed, and that all supplies of every kind for the future be obtained through public tender and contract, in the common way. Verbvm sat sap.— l am, &c, William Colenso. Napier March 23, 1869. Sib, — I wish, through the medium of your paper, to offer, for the consideration of the public, a scheme by which, I believe, a considerable saving of expenditure may be effected. It is that application should be made to the Home Government for a permanent New Zealand regiment, upon terms similar to those granting colonial regiments to the West Indies, Canada, Cape of Good Hope, and Malta. The advantages to the colony would be many. 1. A body of disciplined men would be at once obtained, which, if not at present what is termed fit for bush work, would, from the fact of their being already trained soldiers, be so much nearer the completion of their education for the requirements of colonial warfare, than the raw levies raised here. Besides, the regiment would be already equipped in every way, and supplied with the most efficient arms, &c. ; these to be replaced by newer inventions as soon as they are adopted by the military authorities at home, and the old ones returned into store without cost to the Colonies. 2. They would be officered by men who intend eventually to make this country their home, because, nbt being liable to be removed from the country, only those who wish permanently to reside here, would remain in the regiment. Many of these would bo married men, and in all probability have some stake in the country, and feeling that no country prospers duKng war, as also that there was no chance of their pay, <&c, being stopped in time of peace, would, when called on to act in putting down rebellion, zealously use their best endeavours to carry out effectually and speedily any service on which they might be employed. Besides, being colonists themselves, it would be very natural that they would send home reports that would be rather favorable than othewise to New Zealand, and the conduct of its affairs. The officers would have (as in other colonial regiments) the privilege of exchanging into other regiments of the line, and officers from other regiments into the colonial one, so that most likely many who have served here in better times, say in the days of the 65th and 68th, would be anxious to come out again, and most would be staid men and prove valuable acquisitions to the colony, politically and socially. 3. The regiment would receive its pay, clothing, and all supplies direct from the Imperial Government, so that the expenditure for pay would not amount to onefourth the cost of colonial forces, while the supplies received from home, being forwarded from the stores in England, | would be' cheaper and better in quality than could be obtained here. Then, again, the rations, &c, purchased here would be furnished at a lower rate to the Imperial Government than, to the colonial, in consequence of the security that is felt by contractors that they are certain to receive all payments punctually. These j last advantages would chiefly benefit the Home Government : but at the same time an immense expense would be saved to the colony, and the expenditure would circulate in the colony. 4. Men who from wounds or accidents when on duty became unfit for service would be discharged and receive their pensions from the Chelsea Hospital Fund, at rates varying from 6d to 2s a day, the latter only after very long service or severe wounds. This would be a great saving to the colony, as, independent of

the money not being chargeable to tlio colony, I believe the lowest rate of pension paid to the colonial forces is 2s G<l per day. 5. From the fact of the regiment not being liable to removal, more of the men would be married, even, in excess of the numbers allowed by regulation, the numbers so exceeding (although not taken on the strength of the regiment, and thereby entitled to rations, &c.) would find ample means to live comfortably, and at the same time be adding to our population and become tied to the place. And as men were discharged, their places would be filled by others who had been trained at home, thus increasing our adult population without any expense for immigration. The officers would also have more sympathy with the colonists than those of a regiment liable to be removed at any moment ; this was proved by the regiments before mentioned, having been so long retained in this country, they all became more or less colonists, and many left the service rather than leave the colony. 6. The moral effect upon the native mind would, I submit, be very great when it was known that the Queen, instead of taking all her troops away, had determined ! to leave some here for ever, and that if required they would be actively employed in putting down rebellion. This effect on one side, and the confidence it would give the settlers on the other, is, I think, of considerable moment. The above are some of the most prominent advantages ; and, I believe, if the colony were to make the request, the Home Government would grant it, since the advantages would not ite all on the side of the colony. At the present time the War Office authorities contemplate reducing the army by two companies from each infantry regiment, two troops from each cavalry regiment, and the abolition of the depot battalions. To do this they musl; give ! many men their discharges long before their full period of service has expired. I There would be no great difficulty attending this, but the stream of enlistment must be checked, and this, not being very rapid at present, might lead to very serious difliculty if altogether stopped, so that, I presume, the War Office would be rather glad of an excuse to retain one or two regiments on the terms I have suggested : besides, I cannot believe the Home Government would really like to remove all the troops from New Zealand . I consider the order for the removal was forced on them by the Colonial Government, and that if the colony awould so far apologise by stating that in consequence of the high rate of pay required, and the difficulty of getting men immediately who are trained to arms, they found it impossible to raise a colonial force, and asking for a certain number of men from the Imperial army as a New Zealand regiment, to be permanently stationed in, and subsidised by, the colony, then, I think, the Home Government would only be too glad to grant the request, and probably would supplement it by keeping another regiment for some time longer in the colony entirely at the expense of the Imperial Government. The great difficulty probably would be the subsidy ; but it is no use shirking it, and, if viewed in a proper light, should not appear an insurmountable difficulty. It would be far cheaper to the people if they raised a special tax for the purpose, I so that they may be allowed to go about their usual avocations with some confidence and security, instead of letting their farms and every other kind of business go to ruin through neglect, in consequence of the country being kept in a state of insecurity, and the settlers themselves having to do militia duty. However, the subsidy must be forthcoming ; it is paid by Canada, West Indies, and other places — but at what rate, lam not prepared to say. Suppose we put it down at £40 per man per annum, even that is far less for trained men, fully equipped, than is now paid for raw recruits, without arms or equipment of any kind, who are taken up to-day to be turned out again next month, and so on continually, each time getting inferior men, for the better ones will not remain in a service which is so often | changing. But this is not the greatest evil. These men, after a little soldiering, become unsteady, and only care for a roving life ; they cannot settle down to quiet, regular employment, and, in consequence, our labor market has become very seriously injured. — I am, etc., Expedient. — _ Sib, — I have seen a letter in the Hawke's Bay Times of the 14th inst. signed by O. L. W. Bousfield, in which the writer in- ! forms the readers of the Times that he " takes the greatest possible pleasure in using his pen in support and defence of Col. Whitmore." Surely, Mr. Editor, this cannot be the O. L. W. Bousfield— the writer of those violent and personal attacks on Col. Whitmore that appeared in the Hawke's Bay Times a few years ago P If it is the same Bousfield, his opinions have undergone a mostremarkable change. Has he so soon forgotten what he said against Major Whitmore in those writings P The Hawke's Bay settlers do not, nor can they understand how Col. Whitmore can accept " support " or " defence " from one whose Sen was the first in New Zealand to load im with abuse, and to hold him up to the readers of the Hawke's Bay Times as an object of scorn and contempt. If Col. Whitmore has forgotten the writings alluded to, and forgiven the author without a public apology, I can only say he possesses a greater power of self-abnegation than is usually found in honorable highminded men. : Mr. 0.. L. W. Bousfield, in his vainglorious style, reminds the people of Hawke's Bay that he had several years ago warned them against the danger of having anything to do with the gentleman who is now the honored head officer of the province. Perhaps he did ; but most fortunate has it been for them that they treated that warning with no greater favor than they treated every other warning of his. The people of Hawke's Bay have reason to congratulate themselves on having among them men of greater experience andsounder judgmentthan has been vouchsafed to O. L. W. Bousfield ; men who can calmly weigh the arguments on both sides of a question without being led astray by fellings of disappointed ambition. In the opinions of these men, the inhabitants of Hawke's Bay acted wisely in not listening to Mr. Bousfield's vaunted warnings. Had they taken his advice, the consequences, in all human probability, would have been most disastrous to this province. Mr. Bousfield has certainly been consistant in heaping abuse on every public officer of this province. What he says against the present Executive is only a wearisome repetition of what he had formerly said against every one of their predecessors. The fact is, Mr. Bousfield. is a disappointed man. He never had any taste for climbing the official ladder in the usual official fashion. A gentleman of his rare merits ought to mount to the topmost step at one great stride. In this insane attempt, Mr. B. lost his balance ; and, I regret to say, he has not from that day to this regained it. _ If Mr. Bousfield is so wrapt up in conceit of himself as to be regardless of the opinion of his fellow men, that is no reason why he should expose his chief, and benefactor, to the

i eternal reiteration of matters that canno be otherwise than disagreeable to him Un fortunate]/, Mr. Bousiield has alway been an injudicious man — always a mai with a grievance. L — d have mercy upoi all idiots and persons of unsound mind especially upon ?>Ti\ .0. L. W. B. Ojte of the Mo it. Sir, — It is a matter of surprise that th( leading townsmen of Napier should have shewn such apathy in resenting the dis missal of Mr. M'Lean as General Govern^ ment agent, at a time when his services are so much needed.. The settlers of Meanee and Waipukurau have proved to us, by the meetings they have advertised, that they do nol approve of Mr. Stafford's proceedings; but the townsmen of Napier apparently do by their inactivity in the matter. The whole of the disturbances that have lately taken place on the East Coast were foretold by Mr. M'Lean, and it is sinipty absurd to suppose that Mr. M'Lean, as your contemporary in to-day's paper asserts, alone prevented the Ngatiporou from proceeding to the West Coast. Hopata was left to choose for himself, and he elected not to go— not from Mr. M'Lean's advice, but from advice of settlers, and his intuitive feeling in the matter. Tareba and Earaitiana — two of the leading chiefs in the province— also advised Ropata not to go, even before he had seen Mr. M'Lean. The state of "antagonism" your contemporary alludes to will have no weight with the natives, as they have too much confidence in Mr. M'Lean, to allow his prestige to be set aside by any agent the General (rOYernmeW may appoint. - - T »in, &C. jWptfr. March 20, 1.869. Siit,— -The intention of the residents ot Waipukurau and Meanee to assemble for the purpose of marking their disapproval of Mr. M'Lean'a dismissal, is deserving of all commendation. It would be singular indeed if the inhabitants of Hawke's Bay, who have enjoyed under his wise and miid administration the inestimable blessings of profound peace and perfect security for life and property, should be found backward in marking their sense of their Superintendent's entire abnegation of self at a perilous crisis. Dark shadows surround us, and no "light beameth from afar;" murder has of late been rife within our borders, as if to illustrate the infatuation of ministers — whose conduct under the circumstances in removing our best friend and surest safeguard, is utterly indefensible, and only paralleled by the removal of Frazer and the contradictory instructions to their feeble-minded tool Lambert, both of which in no slight degree assisted to bring about the massacre at Poverty Bay. May the blood of all those unfortunate sufterers rise in judgment against all concerned in those iniquitous proceedings, when He shall make up his books. The dismissal of Mr. M'Lean will cause feelings of indignation throughout New Zealand; irrespective of his matchless knowledge of the aborigines and their customs, he has been "so clear in his great office," so careful of our best interests, as evidenced by his secession from a Government which has all but ruined the country in pursuance of its selfish schemes, that he has gained the respect of thousands who know nothing of the great services he rendered the colony in earlier times. By manfully throwing himself into the breach and defending us from the hostile intentions of our insidious foes, Mr. M'Lean deserves our eternal gratitude. The deprivation of Mr. M'Lean's services as Government Agent at this period is a matter of vital importance to every settler of Hawke's Bay. With hungry expectants for office amongst us, prepared to play into the hands of our worst enemy, I the present Government, it becom.es Na- ! pier, the capital of this province, to follow where she ought by right to have led. ! Why is a meeting not called to express our sense of what is due to Mr. M'Lean P Are we to stand by with folded arms, and see our chief magistrate deliberately insulted by a Government " tottering to its fall," without protest? Such conduct would reflect undying disgrace upon Napier. — I am, &c, Napier, March 14. Observer.