CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9270, 4 August 1893, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

ST. MATTHEW'S THEATRICALS. TO Till? EDITOR. Sir,— regret that 1 have excited the ire of the Rev. Mr. train by calling his " boys" larrikins. I had not the slightest intention of hurting their feelings ; but was under the impression that the newspapers referred to this new departure as an effort to draw in the larrikins. I therefore beg humbly to apologise for having used the term. I however still maintain that whether they are larrikins or gentlemen of the first water, they will never be led by means of theatricals to become Christians.—l am, etc., Thus. B. Kenderdink. Auckland, August 3, 1893. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l was extremely sorry to read Dr. Kcnderdioe'B letter in your Wednesday's issue easting reflections of "larrikinism" on the boys who took part in " The Merchant of Venice." I am intimately acquainted with all those who took part in the performance (two of my own sons being amongst the number), and can honestly say that from the time the society was first started until the present time I have not heard or seen one single act amongst, our juvenile performers that the most fastidious could find fault with. Their good conduct has been .such that it could he imitated with advantage ny a large section of grownup people in our midst. Some .3000 people have visited the six performances given, amongst them a, great number of parents, who were accompanied by their children ; in fact so great a number of children were present that the last night's performance was for adults only (the exception being some 20 children from the Truant School, under their teachers), with the result that the house was tilled, regret beiiijj freely expressed that the play closed so soon. 1 am pleased to state that "The Merchant of Venice' was a financial success, and that the boys are now in a, position to obtain what they have so long desired, viz., a first-class gymnasium, and when this is in full swing J trust the doctor will favour us with a visit, and see for himself that boys can congregate together and still behave themselves, ami, what is of far more importance, respect their church and parson.— am, etc., J as. R. Cross, Hon. Sec. St Matthew's Dramatic Society.

CAD MAN V. REES.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—-Oh of the chief points at issue in this contest relates to the mortgage over the Umutaoroa Block, given by Messrs. Cadman and Smith in favour of the Bunk of New South Wales. The several interests of both mortgagors—Mr. Cadman having threetwentieths, and Mr. Smith seventeen-twen-tieth shares— expressly defined and set out in the mortgage, but the liability of each mortgagor wm joint. and xe.Vfral.-~i.e., each was liable to the bank for the full amount of the mortgage debt. Now, if Mr. (.'adman, when he became Native Minister, had only threetin nt.ie.tlm interest in the block, why did he not restrict bis liability under the mortgage to three-twentieths of tin- amount of the mortgage debt, and not render himself liable for the full amount? Would a business man like Mr. Cad man render himself liable for the full amount of a mortgage unless he had an equal share with his partner in the land on which the money was borrowed? Sir, the thing is absurd. Is it not to be presumed that, although Mr. Cadman only had threetwentieth .shares in the block when he became Native Minister, that during his term of cilice be acquired seven-twentieths shares more, and that, instead of acting in a manly and straightforward manner, and putting these after-acquired shares in his own name, he allowed them to be put in that of his his partner (Mr. Smith). The question before the electors is not as to which candidate, judged from his past career, has the better character, but as to whether a Native Minister is or is not to deal either directly or indirectly in native lands. 1 hope, sir, that the electors will on the polling day put aside all party spirit and feelings of friendship, and decide once and for all that they do not approve of any Minister of the Crown haying any dealings whatever in native lauds.—l am, etc. A. A. Hough, Solicitor, Auckland. Auckland, August, 2nd, 1893.

TO Till'. KDITOR.

Sin,—The attacks made by certain person; upon Mr. Rees apparently have been made for the purpose of throwing dust in the eyes of the electors and raising side issues. But, no doubt intelligent men in recording their votes will not lose sight of the main issue, which is, " Has Mr. Cadman been guilty of abusing his trust or not?'' Not "Has Mr. Rees been guilty of committing some little peccadillo at time of his life or other?' The law, I find, treats as illegal and fraudulent the purchases by an agent of lands for himself which he has been employed to purchase for another. Supposing Mr. Cadman was in the midst of negotiations for the Umntaoroa Block, at the time he was asked to accept the portfolio of native lands, his plain duty was to have declined upon the ground that the acceptance of that office would clothe him with such influence over those natives with whom he was dealing, as would render further negotiations improper on his part. Mr. Cadman excuses himself on this point by saying, that " at that time, it was thought that his Ministry would not remain in power more than three mouths," although he knew the Ministry, from the first, had an overwhelming majority. But the Ministry did remain in power. Did Mr. Cadman at the end of that t luce months resign his position, or give up his negotiations? (secretly, by means of his partner). No. And that is where he betrayed his trust.—l ant, etc.,

John Oakhurst. [We have a number of anonymous letters on the same subject.—En.

NORTHERN ROADS.

TO TilK I.DITOK.

Sin,—Thirty-one years ago I was induced to turn my thoughts towards leaving England to settle in New Zealand, and to do so in connection with what was called the " The Nonconformist Settlement." The then Provincial Government wished to draw settlers to Auckland province by giants of 40 acres to each adult, and most enticing prospects were ollered to induce people to go out. I attended meetings in London on the subject, and decided to cast in my lot, and that of my family (a wife ami five children) with the association, and have lived from the time of my arrival in Albert land. A large map of the land we were to occupy was furnished by the Provincial Government, and on in was traced the Great North Road, from Auckland to the intended settlement. This J and others thought was an excellent thing, as it secured communication between the city and country. But, sir, when we arrived this Great North Road was found to be a surveyor's track, about four feet wide through bush, teatree, and scrub, and in many parts quite undiscernible. After 31 years struggle in the bush, I and my fellow-settlers have not even now a road from our settlement to Auckland or its adjacent parts. The uumetalled scarifications of the earth which are dignified by that name can only be travelled over in fine summer weather, and that by a most roundabout route. Are men and women who, under such unfavourable circumstances, have made for themselves homes and contribute largely to the revenue of the country, less worthy of consideration than men who took up large tracts of country as sheep runs, and by their political influence secured roads and railways in all directions The case of Albert-land is also that of all the settlements north of Auckland, both in the hardships endured and in the neglect by the Legislature, and successive Governments to provide them with the means of transit. The abno-mally wet seasons of late have emphasised the need of loads in the North in an especial manner. The revenue derived by rates from the scattered settlements are utterly inadequate to meet the expenses of road making. As the Northern settlers have to contribute largely to the payment of interest on loans, principally expended in making railways in the South, they have a claim to compensation by furnishing thenr with roads worthy of the name.— am, etc., SKNEX. AUCKLAND MARKET. TO THE EDITOK. Slß,—Allow me to reply to " Cabriole'' by sayine that 1 was not aware he expected me to give a full and particular detail of the losses or gains of the various lessees from time to time of the Market. Evidently some who re-leased made it a paying speculation, while others probably lost; but what has that to do with the fitness or otherwise of the Market? All that " Cabriole" writes about has been carried into effect in vain, and there are few colonial cities where the markets do not degenerate into a sort of " variety" arcade.—l am, etc., M.