LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1061, 29 June 1869, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. • Sin,— Your contemporary has published the translation of a letter which appeared in the Walta Maori of the 17th ult. I saw the thing in the native newspaper* -and considered it below contempt, otherwise I should have noticed it there and then; The letter, in every particular, is untrue ; and, did I not know that the real facts of the case, are so Welliauthenticated as to be beyond all dispute, I would, at. the risk of entailing the recapitulation of a long story upon the jiublic — who ard 'already sick of the whole thing— -publish ■an exact statement of the Mohair $iwiness, from beginning to end, in all its con* temptible details. The publication of my despatch to Colonel Lambert, together with that of Major Withers on the Samd subject', would put an end to ahv discussion. I appiiea for copies of #iose'' I de- T :spatches, but find that they lie in thoa)efence Office, -Wellington, and no record of ! them remains in Napier. I can, however, very confidently to Major, Withers for confirmation of what I. hare stated ; arid as Toha himself was riot at Mohafea—not appearing until the afternoon on the hills overlooking Waihua— it is difficult to say what he knows about it. Major Withers and myself did not leave the top of the hill which we endeavoured to induce the natives to hold as the key to the position, until we were left absolutely alone, and tho natives occupyingjthe position nearest the pa were melting into the gully in their rear before the people with us failed. And when I, having reached my horse, had overtaken Captain Withers, the enemy had crowned the ridge, and treated us to volley after volley as we descended to the plains of Marengo. I galloped on, having the stronger horse, to save the ferryman, and his family at the Waihua, and- had not two minutes to spare in doing so. The small force of friendlies, not more than 25 iri number,, who deserted us, were a quarter of a mile on their way home before the Major and I left our position. I would not have troubled you with.a* word on so poor a subject if I were not convinced that some other influence than Toha's own volition dictated the publication of tho paltry and malignant libel bearing his signature. . . CrEOBGE BUCKLAKD WoBGAH>