HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5762, 6 May 1880, Page 6

HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE.

TO THE EDITOR. Snj,—As an old Aacklander I was much, pleased by reading yoar " Memorials of Old Auckland," or the story of the Ngatipaoa invasion, as I was an eye-witness of the scene described. It brought back to my mind memories of the good old times, before Vogel was born or his borrowing machine invented. I hope m shall never again see the face of the one, and as the other is to have two years' holidays, I hope by that time it will be so rusted and out of gear that even Vogel himself would not be able to grind out another million. Ah, the good old pork-and-potato era, when there was no property tax to taint oar atmosphere ! Now, sir, after this burst of righteous indignation, permit me to return to the scene of action. Yoar sketch is a faithful picture, although there were many minor details. As to Sir George Grey (the Governor) being in Wellington at the time, the memory of my old friend, Mr. James Robertson, must be at fault. The Governor and Colonel Wynyard were both on the ground, and I believe it was well for the

infant colony that the Governor w„ «. that day. The colonel was a good soldier-SiS a brave man, bat it seemed to me that on tv trying occasion he wanted that coolneai VOZ forethought, 3>otb of which Sir Georsa eminently puaaessed. I happened to ' 8 ° within hearing. The Colonel said to t-b* Governor, " I will Sre I" The Governor! reply was, ".Not yet, Colonel; consider tS consequences; think of the out-settler* " Now, I believe had it not been for the straining power of the Governor, ths fvu* 8 ! would have fired, and if blood hid he shed, the out-settlers would have ht murdered for payment.—l am, & c . John McGEcurv Papatoifcoi, May 5, 18S0.