LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1065, 13 July 1869, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. Sib, — In your article in to-day's 1 paper on the proposed dissolution of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company (li-' inited), there are some inaccuracies. Your remarks are based on the supposition that Mr. Martin's first offer o£ £21,000 is the one now under consideration by the shareholders. His last offer' is £23,100, equal to £2 155. ; an&'it was estimated the cash in bank, coals, and debts might produce 15s. per share more, although we believe 103. per share is now only expected from these sources; Every shareholder is in possession of a circular acquainting him with the above facts ; but we deem it right to correct your figures, that your readers may; not bo misled by them. — We are, etc., KINHOSS AND CO., ' Agents N.Z.S.N. Co. (Limited). Napier, July 9. ! (To tho Editor of the Hawke's 13ay H&BAX.V.) I Sib, — Will you kindly permit insertion of the following forwarded to the Evening \ Post, aud oblige A Poverty Bat Subvivob. (To the Editor of the Independent.) Sib, — Permit me to point out some mistakes in your review of the pamphlet " A DarkChapterfrom New Zealand History." Ist. There is no confusion on page 8. Of course tho late Ministry have some small share of the credit attached to Mr. M'Lean's splendid campaign of 1865-6, but not much, seeing how they thwarted him with respect to Omaranui. 2nd. The campaign is not " curiously exaggerated ;" nor was it carried on often " near the sea." It was, in fact, fought over a fearfully rough country. ■ ! 3rd. The land has never been placed at Mr. Eichmond's disposal as it was at Mr. M'Lean's. I remember seeing Mr. Eichmond on many a summer's day perspiring j with his arduous exertion as he vainly implored the natives to sign their names to his deed, which, after all, has not been produced during tho present sitting of the Land Court at Turanganui. And well I recollect how Colonel Whitmore touted round Turanganui for signatures in a queer jargon of Maori and English, to the amusement of the whites and wild astonishment of tho Maoris. That was just before the Pipiwhakau murders. Between Whitmore and Eichmond they have made a sad muddle of the land question, and have got for us 40,000 acres instead of about a million voluntarily offered to M'Lean. 4th. The allusion to "little places and little meetings" does not apply to Poverty Bay, where singularly few meetings have been held. sth. There has been no intentional or other mistake of dates, as the pamphlet proves. You admit Mr. M'Lean was right about the land question, for you coula not do otherwise. "We are proud to know it." You say " the escape of the prisoners and many other parts of the pamphlet are graphically described ; chapter 7is truthful ;" and you illogically wind up by saying one chapter only is worth reading. You have been charged by a writer to the Wanganui Times of having " dragged the Independent through the filth and mire of political corruption in toadying and pandering to Messrs. Haultain, Stafford, and Co. ;" and a great many people on this coast believe it to be true. If not, how comes it that Colonel Whitmore, whom you could not have abused worse last session if, as you observe, he had kicked you down Eegent-stret, is now the " God of your idolatry ?" I admit he deserved all )'ou gave him then ; but will any one believe ho is now what you would have us believe ? I take it the public have decided if the late Government brought about the massacre by its culpable negligence, andaffirm the pamphlet proves it conclusively, as. does Hansard. Of the Poverty Bay settlers you say " there was nothing in their conduct for our race to be ashamed of— they defended their lives bravely ;". yet you repeat Col. Whitmore's oft-refuted slanders, refuted even by his own words. Incredible as it may seem to you, the pamphlet was written in good faith. It ! was time the true value of Whitmore's romancing despatches should b&.made known. lt so happens the facts substantiated by dates in every particular have been made by providence to tell heavily, I hope, against those men who, taking " self-reliance" for their motto, have been its worst enemies. In thoir desire to re-' tain office they have all but consummated the destruction of the colony, and ' the}' have been assisted for some time past by the turncoat Independent. — I am, etc., A Poverty Bay Survivor. Napier, July 11. . Sir, — In your paper of the 9th instant, " our ovvn correspondent" is most unfortunate in his maiden communication. The recent ministerial change must be a subject of universal congratulation, but not tho slightest excitement has existed in this township. I believe a private individual has mado a futile attempt to get up a sensation, but signally failed. A few pops and bangs were a poor pretence for a display of fireworks, aud the effigies would probably have been burnt, had they not, with appropriate decorum, walked off in a most mysterious manner, to the litter discomfiture of their proprietor, but to the great satisfaction of every sensible person in Waipawa. — I am, &c M A Eesident. Waipawa, July 10, 1869. Sib, — Would you or any of your readers inform mo the cause of, or remedy for, the wire-worm , in potatoes. Any information on this subject would be gratefully received by the public. Allow me to suggest what I think would be an attractivo article in your paper, viz., the state of the markets, stock, &c, in Napier and district.— l am, &c, A SUBSCBIBEK. Kaikora, July 8, 1869.