The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1863.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume I, Issue 44, 30 September 1863, Page 4

The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1863.

We feel constrained to call the attention of our readers to a matter which, when known, ought to call forth genrral execration from every lover of fair play. It will be fresh in the minds of those in this district that when the miners and others had lost all patience and temper with the authorities, that we were favored with a visit from Mr. Vincent Pyke. When in Queenstown, this gentleman disclaimed on the part of the Government all knowledge of the state into which the district had been thrown. He also, more like a courtier than a diplomatist, gave a very small bribe for the day and a very large promise for the morrow. The bribe came in the shape of the immediate removal of the camp to Queenstown, and the promise in the shape of an assurance that proper roads would be made to open up the various diggiDgs; and also a road between the township of Queenstown and the Arrow. As is usual in such cases, the bribe was honestly paid over; the people of the district can tell what has resulted from the promise. By these means Mr. Pyke managed to make in Queenstown some silly men and some knavish men his friends and tools —for what purpose will be seen in the sequel. He found different metal at the Arrow, and slipped away from that place in a way much more abrupt than dignified to say the least of it. It was necessary to shift the blame of the actions arising from his own incapacity upon the shoulders of some one, and we shall immediately see in what way he set about it. Quickly picking his tools, he set about a private inquiry into the conduct of several of the Government officials on the field, andtried what he could do to find charges against them Failing to find a substantial charge, the immaculate Mr. Pyke turned round and tried to see if he could discover anything ii* the shape of impropriety of conduct. He ferreted out conversations which had taken place over dinner tables. He invaded the privacy of social retirement. He acted like a man who means to screen himself, no matter at whose expense. Amongst the heterogeneous material he had managed to get together in the way of toadies and tools, here were those fitted for all the different parts he required tbem to play. He had

fussy, illiterate, and bold men who were ready to make fools of themselve« im any shape at public meetings—ready to eat their own words—to stultify their own actions—to play his game in short, under the idea that they were themselves making a great and proper figure in public. He had those of another calibre however. He had those who were ready to make affidavit that they had seen on the table of the camp news-room copies of the Wakatip Mail; nay, more, that they heard that impertinent paper spoken of as being an indept ndent organ and having supplied a want in the district; that one officer preferred beer to porter, and that another through weakness of stomach preferred claret; that a business gentleman of Queenstown had ventured to charge for work done for his employers, and thus prevented government officials doing it for nothing when it was no part of their duty. Amongst the latter, a person who buys gold, scarcely a hundred miles from the Union Hotel, stands conspicuous. He occupies the unenviable position of a voluntary witness, furnishing testimony, which Lord Brougham, at a former period, declared " always worthy of suspicion because volunteered." These affidavits have been used against parties, without their having been furnished with copies; without their being made aware of the charges intended to be brought against them; without their being allowed a chance of bringing proof to prove them false ; without ever furnishing the names of the accusers. By these inquisitorial—unEnglish and illegal proceedings Mr. Vincent Pyke has, in his own particular way literally established a miniature Star Chamber in New Zealand.

Regarding the justice of these proceedings there can be but one opinion, and if it were not that a principle were involved, we would not call attention to the matter. What are we to dread, however, when we see an irresponsible official setting at defiance all constitutional principles ? It is the glory of Britain that the law throws a shield alike over the rich and the poor, and that no secret tribunal shall exist within her dominions; that no secret evidence shall be taken; that no accused shall be un-defended; and that

the Judge shall be impartial, and keep watch over accused and accuser alike. What are we to anticipate in the future, when we see in this infant colony symptoms of incipient tyranny, which want only time and permission to generate into destruction of liberty ? A glance at the history of any country under absolute government will show that most of them have passed through, at least, one or two bloody revolutions. These have invariably resulted more from acts on the part of officers coming into immediate contact with the people, than from the acts of government itself. And the invariable results have been the destruction of those who have provoked them.

Let us hope that something will speedily be done to put a stop to the family management of the goldfields, and that the General Government Executive will see it their duty to put a wiser man in charge of them. It is unjust that they should be held as the pocket burghs of England were in olden time, or that anyone should be able to give away the offices from those already in possession, when their only fault has been if anything, showing too much anxiety conscientiously to do their duty, without fear, favor, or affection.