SIR GEORGE BOWEN AND MR DINGLE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 96, 26 April 1869, Page 2

SIR GEORGE BOWEN AND MR DINGLE.

The Taranaki correspondent of the Otago Daily Times gives the following amusing description of the interview between the Governor and Mr Dingle, who, it will be remembered, was one of the deputation sent from Taranaki, to wait upon His Excellency at the time of the White Cliffs Massacre : — Mr Dingle with his Devonshire dialect caused considerable amusement when he related his interview with the Ministers and the Governor ; but as the journals have not reported his speech | I must give you some idea of it. He began by saying that Mr Stafford was as sharp as a sword and as fierce as a liou, and that the Native Min-ister-was as stupid as our own-Superintefident.-But the best part of Mr Dingle'a speech'. was his description of his interview with the Governor. I give a portion of it .verbatim, merely altering the dialect, which will give you an idea of the

man : — " I knocked at the door," said Mr Dingle ] and the Governor said "Come in." So I went in. "Ah, Mr Dingle," said the Governor, it's you is it ; sit down ; you are an old settler, Mr Dingle, I believe." "Yes, ye Excellency," said I, and down I sat, and hung my head down, and Ave were both silent for a minute. I, however, thought I might begin, so I said, " Is it true, ye Excellency, that you have power to detain tho troops ?""I have not" said Sir George; "besides the people of New Plymouth have never thanked me for detaining ihe troops for the last eight months." -'Ye Excellency," I said, "I'm sure tbe people of New Plymouth are perfectly ignorant of that, but I am ready to thank you now, and when "your Excellency comes to Taranaki, the people will thank you there." I then (continued. Mr Dingle) tried it on again : " But your Excellency has power to keep the regiment and I am sure your Excellency will." Tut, tut," said Sir G eorge ; "do you mean to tell me that you are not aware how the colony stands with regard to keeping this regiment ? You are not an ignorant man, Mr Dingle, and you must be .aware that the Queen has offered the troops to the Colony — has offered to meet the colonists half way, and let them have the soldiers that cost her £80 per man, for £40. Do you comprehend, Mr 'Dingle? But the colony could not deal." **' Merchandise," says I ; " What we'd call half-' crease (this term the unitiated may not understand. It has reference to sheep, where an arrangement is made for half the increase), ye Excellency." "Yes, Mr Dingle," said Sir George, " You are perfectly correct ; but the Queen and tlie colonists can't deal." "Empty purse," says I. "No money to pay." I then said more about the Maoris taking us away, and salting us and eating us for pork ; and the subject turned to the invalid soldiers being sent to New Zealand, when Sir George said "do you think, Mr Dingle, that the appearance of the troops would cause the natives that are not in rebellion to remain neutral and not join the other?" •*' Yes;" says I. " And what would you do with your beef and mutton, Mr Dingle, if they were here ?" said Sir George. "I am afraid you only want the troops here to cat it for you." Yes, ye Excellency," says I. " You are possessed with power and authority ; write home to the Queen and tell her that this is a beautiful country, with streams of water, aud fields of grass, and just the place for invalid troops — those sinking and ready to die. Bring them from those hot climates where the yellow fever and the ague, and all those things are. Show that New Zealand can supply the troops cheap ; show what fertile land — both milk and honey — water and wood — to feed the troops on." I went on in this strain — (says Mr Dingle) for some time, and I think his Excellency thought a good deal of it when I concluded.