MR. FARNALL AND THE RODNEY ELECTORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4404, 24 December 1875, Page 2 (Supplement)

MR. FARNALL AND THE RODNEY ELECTORS.

To the Editor of the Herald. 1 ' Sir, —My attention was yesterday drawn : to a letter m the Weekly News of the 11th instant, headed The Election for Rodney," and signed " H. W. Farnall," and I now crave your kind permission to correct some of the wilfully false statements therein; made by him. First, Mr. FarnaO states, " with regard',to this £60,000, I not only unhesitatingly assert that the idea of moving for this money,, did originate- with me, but also, that until, the resolution was put into shape, with the exception of Mr. O'Rorke, not a soul was aware of my. intention of moving it." In answer to this, sir, I as unhesitatingly, assert that the idea of moving for the money did ; not originate with Mr. Farnall, but with me, and L challenge him to say that lie had the slightest conception of taking up the matter before I broached the subject to - him. And why did Mr. Farnall shew the resolution to Mr. O'Rorke, and to no one else? I will tell.him, because it was 1-who sent him to Mr. O'Rorke to put the resolution into shape, as I knew that it 'twould then be done properly, arid the resolution was accordingly drafted by Mr.. O'Rorke, with. a blank left for the sum of money to be applied for. Mr. Far Tl nell, in the letter under consideration, goes on to say, " Who was my kind friend who is supposed to have. entrusted me with this most important resolution ? and why should he have singled me out from amongst all. the. Auckland. members to bring it before the House ? and also; why did not this, enterprising individual, whoever he may - be, take sufficient. interest in the matter after the ; money was voted, to see that it was properly, expended." To the first question, 1 answer , that I was the- "kind, friend." To ; the. second, that I singled him out because he was one of .the Northern members, and had no special business before the House on his hands, and could, therefore• devote alii his/ time and attention to this .most important.; resolution, and. also (and this I thought to. be the beat reason), because Mr. Farnall was not on friendly'terms with the then Government. To the last question, I answer that X not only.. exerted myself . in :this matter in several sessions o£ the ProvincialCouncil, as ' a reference to the: Blue Books will.shew; ;but during the, last session- o£ the General Assembly I put myself , in communi-. cation : with Messrs. Sheehan and Swanson, whereby they, procured the appointment of the Select Committee, which reported'that: the expenditure of the £10,000 on the -Man-. gere Bridgeiwais a misappropriation of./tho money voted for .works North. ; In conclusion, let -me ask iMr. .Farnall. .the following questions; his! answers - to which will) >1 am! sure' greatly-enlighten.the Rodney electors • —" 1. How was it that Sir Juliusi Vogcl andj Sir Donald McLean settled in Mr. Whitaker's. office, in Wellington, £20,000 a-year for threo years on works North, and to'take over the. JCaipara railway, • and expend.' 'thereon/ £40,000, which' they absolutely 'refused' iMr.' • Gillies, the then Superintendent : of 'Auck-n land to do the'previous aeaaion,-without see-.' ing : or having any. communicationiwith him' (Mr.' -2.ii How was' it that' Mr.v Wiremu Kateno seconded the resolution: referred toiwlien liejMr. Farnall) objected to> him, —No: native member-having before' or. pinco -seconded' any 1 European's resolution? ?.;:How .was it'that Mrj, Swanson-took me to: the 'Public Works Office (Mr. plackett's),' and'got a plaii"ofthe; North ■ of Auckland' made, and-laid- otntho -thble ,of ■ without Any reference to or consultation with; | him (Mr.:Farhall|.';..'4. -.How; waS'it itliat> in)' the session clie'>£4ooyooo-was votedi 'he > (Mr. ' Farnall);j'-M*j ; Carleton,' Mr.-vMunro,' and' Mr. .Thomas did £100,000 or any portion >of the .above sum' appropriated for: works North<!j i 5. Hbwiwas" it that he^Mr. 1 Farnall) and the three gentle-'-men-above-named, allowed'-Mongonuitobe' disfranchised' o£'-ita poember without' rai'siiiffi or-irecordmg thdiP'Vo'tes against it,::: 6'. -'' Anddastlyj 'who was' it 'who 1 procured for him i(Mn»QPatn'all)' the.; appointment' of h in''Europe li¥skied ;| Mr; feWhitakeri.lfcoc ibtiin-'iffoiiiy Mri' -Eok .the3 : at»pOTnlaio£stiof» immigration-''Agent?' j;FAniall,' 'asho I .' fiMr. Farnall) l^. , doiri9-'ev ; wythißg;-I 1 sired him Xo- do> <lurii>g ! tliat' 'seKsion.'' ' Air..: Whitaker having procured the appointment

ks'requested by'mei'.'hiinded'it' t6'"in4, 'and-T; conveyed it ! l»''MrH'Fa^ii^'"' i ßy/ahiswaring the fdKgoln'g qnc^6M, a '-s'dtf Be 'greatly fi^itemng? Tihei: : 'leleitors I '"J.' '«E /'Rd^ney.'T—T', am, &cti'• ■ j o-.: UJ I'/ '-'i cu'.iKinav..,. Jdnw [ 'December' 22, J jtß7sl'' ' ! '