WHY IS THE PUBLIC WEAL NEGLECTED?

New Zealander, Volume XXI, Issue 2265, 3 November 1864, Page 6

WHY IS THE PUBLIC WEAL NEGLECTED?

To tfee Editor of the Nkw-Zealasder. g IR) —Your contemporary the Cross to-day laments the absence of political ability amongst the members of Assembly for the Province of Auckland ; and I should like therefore to ask your contemporary whether *e does not see the course being taken in general politics must most inevitably lead to such a result ? If all that one faction does is right, and all that the opposite faction does is -wrong, we are reduced to the only alternative of believing that it is men and not measures that are looked *>• , If men are to be commended for pursuing such a course, and using such language as that used by one person at the meeting on Saturday evening, then we cease to have law and order amongst us, and cease to have any title to be called respectable or to thrust ourselves into the company of respectable men. I am, &c, Scrutator. November 1, 1864. LOOTING THE SETTLER'S HOUSES. To the Editor of the New Zealmuek. Sir, —I can easily understand, and forgive, the young or the thoughtless who have so effectually succeeded in exterminating (not the natives but) the feathered and porker tribes in many of the once happy and thriving districts south of Auckland, but I cannot for the life oi me imagine what object a certain portion of the Europear population can have in committing the most senseless acts of wanton mischief on the houses and property of those out-settlars who, from circumstances over which they have r.o control, were compelled fjv a time to abandon their homes, and who in many instances were sufli.iently ruined without any nesessity for the application of the finishing stroke of those who were supposed to have been brought lure for the purpose of bringing the rebellious portion of the natives to subjection, and to teach them the advantages to be derived from civilisation. Upwards of twelve months ago when my humble abode at the V\ airoa was broken open and ransacked in the most heartless manner, the paper in the' rooms torndown, and every particle of clothing that was not earned away was torn into pieces about the size of one's hand. Although it was tolerably well known that there were no Maoris in the neighborhood I nevertheless tried, from patriotic motives, to persuade myself that it had been done by our enemies, but when I saw those who I had imagined were our protectors strutting about in my own clothing, I then ot course gave up the idea that the act had been committed by Maoris. Moreover, some few days after a honest and conscientious private militiaman brought to mo a kit full of articles which he said he felt confident belonged to me, but for his sake I was to be careful not to let it be known in camp that any portion Of my property had been restored to me by him. Shortly after this I came into town, with the view of seeking employment in order to support my wife and family, and another instance occurred, which proved to me that there ■was still honor and civilisation to be found in the ranks of our militiamen. Another private sought my abode in town and restored to me a further portion of my property. When I left the Wairoa I carefully locked the empty house. lam informed by those of my neighbors who have been fortunate enough to re-occupy their farms, that the doors have been forced open, windows smashed, &c, and on FridHy last I received a letter in which it is stated that one casement of two of the windows .had been pulled off aud taken away. On the following day ("Saturday), one of the Wairoa settlers who was in town told me that my windows looked very nice in the new hut at the Galloway Redoubt, and again in the evening I was informed that a hut at the Galloway Redoubt was finished off rather neatly, such nice windows, exactly like mine. It is not very probable, but it is just possible that a solitary instance might occur of an officer being placed in a similar position, and being prompted with the same honorable feelings as the two privates above alluded to« and that one of those distinguished individuals may some day be seen carrying my windowsashes on his head up Queen-street with the laudable intention of restoring to me another portion of my lost p operty. In Auckland there is a gentleman named Beckham who is a great terror to evil doers. My nice little ■windows are unfortunately out of his jurisdiction, but if fie cap should happen to fit as well as the windows, I wmld beg to remind the individual whom it fits, that t iflre is at Papaknra a gentleman named Melsop. who is also" a Resident Magistrate, and as such is empowered to issue orders for the accommodation of the law-breaking portion of the community at the Government Hotel in Q teen-street, which by common people is termed ft, Chokey.' Tnis unhappy struggle with the natives, has doubtless been a complete god-send to many ; not so however, to a large portion of the out-settlers who have suffered losses, injuries, and insults without number. As one of that ! class who has most keenly felt the effect of the rebellion in various ways, both directly and indirectly; some little latitude may* possibly be granted for the warmth of expression that I have exhibited, I am sure I need offer no further apology when I remind you that I am reduced from a state of moderate independence, and am now compelled to earn my bread as a labourer in th? same establishment in which I was formerly a partner. I am, &c, H. Allies. Auckland, October 31, 1861.

A POLITICAL SAFETY VALVE. :To the Editor of he New-Zealaxder. Sin, —Now that calling together cf the electors is the order of the J y. I beg to suggest that as the Assembly ■will so .=. on i:mii • together, there is not time to have the m -tin:.- o , ■ ah.r another. Woiil.l it iiot he irmc'.i Ik-<r-r !>i <.■•'! one inerting of the doctors of City East and City VV -t foi thr earliest possible «Uy ? This would eua.-le the clecton to have - 1 yu;t and business-like chat

with their repres. ntatives. Much good might come out of it by allowing a little of the hi, hj pressure steam to escape before the real work of the se. sion will commence. I fairly anticipate that there is a considerable amount of acrimonious personalities to be got clear of. It would be well this should explode privately amongst ourselves, and not make the Anckland members a laughing stock before the " greater statesmen," as the Cross calls them, of the Southern Provinces. I have no doubt the Southern Cross will join with you in bringing about this little private explosion, now that it has become so anxious that our Province should feel its best foot foremost, and make a better show amongst the Southerners. I will myself attend the meeting, and state my own private opinion that the character of our public men might not appear so fcad if the public press of Auckland was free and untrammelled. As it is no man can take an independent part in public life without exposing himself to the abuse of the Ministerialist papers should he venture on holding an opinion of his own. First-class men will never come forward to express sscoi.d-hand opinions. If an independant man comes forth, there is at once a howl raised against him, and the bank screw is put on, tight home on him at once. By all means let us have our fighting and blackguarding done as quickly as possible, before the Assembly meets. An Auckland Elector.