Original Correspondence.

New Zealander, Volume 11, Issue 959, 23 June 1855, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Nnw Zkai.anuEr. City Council Chamber, Auckland, June 22, 1855. Sir, —As I perceive that, in referring to my removal of an obstruction which had been commenced to be erected by authority of his Honor the Superintendent, oii the “carriageway 1 * in Lower Queen-street, the ‘ Southern Cross* of this morning states that in this proceeding I acted on “the advice” and was “countenanced by Her

Majesty’s Acting Attorney General,” meaning, I suppose, Mr. Whitaker—l think it but right to say that that statement is entirely contrary to fact. Observing that a work was about to be commenced in direct contravention of the City Bye-laws, and that that work was being undertaken without any reference to mo as City Surveyor, I at once resolved to perform the plain and obvious duty I was appointed to discharge. I required no one to tell me that the work was one which his Honor the Superintendent had na right to erecti My instructions arc contained in the Bye-laws for the Regulation of Highways, and I needed no law “ opinion” either from the Attorney General or the Provincial Law Adviser to interpret them. Such being the case, it was my especial and imperative duty to remove the obstruction in ques - lion, lest the example of one in authority should bo made a precedent for other inhabitants to trample under foot the City Regulations, which are, in my opinion, as fully in force now as they were when judgment was given under them by the Resident Magistrate in the case of Mitchell v. Brown for non-payment of the City Eire Rate, I am. Sir, Your obedient servant, A. O’Neill, City Surveyor. To the Editor of the New Zealander. Sir,—As 1 suppose it is generally admitted, that Mr. Brown, notwithstanding that the whole of the Provincial Council with two exceptions are opposed to him, and that the intelligence, therespectabilify, and the wealth of the Province are arrayed against him —will still cling to his office, it becomes necessary that measures should be taken to secure his removal as a public obstruction to the advancement of Auckland. This now can be effected only by a dissolution of tbe Provincial Council, it being evident, that he, the head of the “ strictly legal Government” prefers rather to violate law bv an illegal appropriation of the revenue, than, by calling the Council together, to give that body an opportunity which, I presume, they would certainly use, to petition the Governor for his dismissal, As it is well known that his Honor's election was procured by a deliberate violation of the law relative lo bribery and treating, and as from the boast made by the person who signs himself the “ Old Hand,” —who, during the late contest, was seen convincing a voter in the public street by what he was pleased to call II A loan” of half-a-crown—that no person who “ counted the cost’’ would dare to oppose Mr. Brown, it is evident that, in any future contest, similar proceedings would be adopted ; it will therefore be desirable that the Bribery and Treating Act should be repealed, in order that, like the wrecking Parson and his flock, all should have a fair start in the next race of rascality. If it be certain —and the result of the late election has gone far to prove it--that money and drink will secure any man’s election to the Superintendency, it becomes a question for those who desire the peace and progress of Auckland, whether it will not lie for their advantage to go into tho market with Mr. Brown’s friends and outbid them for votes. Respect for the law has hitherto prevented them from doing so, but when the law is proved to be not only inoperative, but mischievous, it is time that it was repealed. The voice of reason, of intelligence, of respectability has been drowned by drunken bowlings; and although it is a melancholy, it is I fear, an inevitable alternative that the enemies of this Province shall he met with weapons similar to their own. If his Honor the Superintendent has any of that love for fair play, which is said to distinguish the British Character, he will call the Provincial Council together before a dissolution takes place, and request them to repeal the Bribery and Treating Act. 1 am, Sir, &c., Fair Play. Auckland, June 22,”185.5. [lf the Law was less cffectnal in its object at the hue election than the friends of honesty and sobriety could desire, it still was the means of effecting a much better state of things We trust, therefore, that it will not bo repealed, hut that it may be rendered effectual by tbe friends and committees of candidates following out the suggestion contained in flic letter of a correspondent, R, (which letter, by the by, was refused insertion by our contemporary the southern Cross,) and which recommended that an understanding should he come to and no treating be permitted by either party. —Ed.J THE AFFIDAVITS. To tho Editor of the New Zealander " Our army, said my l/nde Toby, swore terribly in Flanders, but nothing at aii like this.” Sin, —1 thought “ Affidavits,” for political uses, had gone out of fashion since the first election for Superintendent, hut I see by your last paper that they have come in again. The Provincial Law Officer swears confidently to “a strong emphasis.” and Mr. Carleton to a “ conclusion” at which, under certain impossible circumstances, he would have arrived.

Both gentlemen, it would appear, have determined to “ pul down” the Supreme Court. It i» surprising that his Honor the Superintendent should have allowed them lo monopolize the enjoyment of that game. On reading the A ffid?vit of the very honorable Member for the Bay of Islands, the putative “ father” of the House of Representatives,—the members of which, by the way, certainly are not all thorough-bred,—l was strongly reminded of a definition of mesmeric clairvoyance given by an honest Hibernian, viz., that it was “ the memory of occurrences which had not yet taken place.” Whether the worthy Celt would have taken upon himself to swear to his “recollections” I can only conjecture. Perhaps— if he were “thoroughbred !*’ I am, Sir, yours, &c. A Snob. To the Editor of the Nf.w-Zealander. Siu.— It appears to me, that we, the electors of this Province arc taking the present state of affairs very easy. Nothing but the actual decrease in the value of our property will make us alive to action. It is indeed time to “ ring the alarum bell, to shake off this downy sleep’’ mid to| look on Mr. Brown's tyrannical injurious incapacity as becomes us. We call ourselves a free people,-although we are oppressed, surely we are not left without a remedy ? The Provincial Council have as yet deserved well of their they have acted with temper, courage, and caution. It is now for thcm,|howcvi-r unpleasant the duty, to petition for the removal of Mr. Brown, if ho is* re elected and the people are determined on having this vain ambitious scribbler for their Superintendent, they will have to thank themselves for all the misfortunes he will bring upon them.—l am Sir, &c. An EteCTon. June 18, 1855.