STARVING THE THAMES SETTLERS.

New Zealander, Volume XXI, Issue 2262, 31 October 1864, Page 11

STARVING THE THAMES SETTLERS.

“ Beggars mounted, ride the horse to death.” To the Editor of the New-Zealandek. Sra, —May I beg as a particular favour, you will be pleased to publish for general information, the following correspondence, and ray remarks thereon. m To Thos. Russell, Esq., Defence Minister, Auckland. Sir, I beg you will he pleased to grant a permit to Mr. George Simpson, for him to receive on board the “ Anni»,” now lying in this port and bound for Hekuatia on the river Thames, tho undermentioned article* viz.: one half ton flour, three bags rice, three bags sugar, (20 lbs. tobacco, one box caudles, seven gallons rum, two cwt. salt. For L. A. McCaskill aud A. McGaskill). Mr. Simpson is employed by me to look after some cattle I have upon my farm of Hekuatia, aud I did intend to go up with him this trip, but am prevented by unforeseen circumstances, and it may he soma time before I could send supplies if I omit doing so now. I am, &c., D. M‘Caskill.” Well, sir, I waited on the hon. gentleman, aud the result was the following « Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 20th Oct. 1864. Sir, I *m dir«oted by the Minister for Colonial Defence to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday’s

date, in which you request permission for Mr. Georgs Simpson to be entrusted with tho under-mentioned goods for conveyance to tho Thames district. (Hero follows tho goods enumerated and marked as above.) In reply, lam to state that as you have admitted to Mr. Russell, in the interview you had with him to-day, that these goods are intended for tho use of Mr. Simpson in the Thames, and that having regard to Mr. Simpson’s conduct as master of the 1 George,’ when that vessel was seized for carrying goods to tho Thames district the Government are not prepared to grant Mr. Simpson permission to carry the goods you have enumerated to that district I am, &c., William Seed.” Thus, Sir, is the poor man refused permission to tako this small quantity of provisions with him, and my relatives denied tho articles they require j but that refusal is conveyed to me, bearing a palpable, nnmistakeable, misstatement on tho face of it I never told Mr. T % Russell that tho goods were all for Simpson. But I told Mr. Russell that part was for my brother and brother-in-law, and the rest for Simpson, exactly as is stated in this letter. I entirely exonerate Mr- Seed. I believe he wrote only as instructed by tho Defence Minister. Why, Sir, my letter to Mr. Russell shews that part of the goods were for Messrs. L. A. M'Caskill and A. M'Gaskill. Even on Mr. Seed’s own shewing this is self-evident. Is it not enough that warisk our lives by living on our farms among tho Thames natives, but must we be starved too ? And that by those who ought to give «« every assistance. Are tho Ministry prepared to say that I and ray relations mast cease all connection with our lands and homes on the Wai-ho, the Thames ? Are they prepared to support us when wa do so ? It seems to me, their wasteful extravagance has not l«f, them much money to bestow on works of public utility, and still less on charity. Sir, t u I’d put a whip into each honest hand, and lath the rascals naked round the world.” Parnell, Oct. 25,1864. Donald M’CaOKILL.