A NEWTON INCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10835, 19 August 1898, Page 3

A NEWTON INCIDENT.

TO THE EDITOR. Under the heading of "A Newton Incident" in your issue of this morning my reply to the question of the magistrate, "I suppose the accused could have settled the matter at once by walking along the load to the station?" appears thus, that is my opinion, your Worship," whereas my actual reply was " that is my opinion, your Worship, if he had been allowed to do so." As the omission of the last eight words materially alters the meaning of the sentence, I -hall be obliged by your making the correction.—l am. etc., John L. Horxe. Upper Queen-street, August 18, 1898.

TOKATOKA SWAMP. TO THE EDITOK. Sir,—l think it is about time that an inquiry was made into the outlay of the money that has already been spent on the swamp (close on £10,000 I am informed on good authority), before tile Government grant any more money to open up more land. £210s per acre— enormous price-has been charged, and there isn't a road formed on the place. I can speak feelingly on the matter, as I, unfortunately, have an interest in one section in the swamp. When I bought this laud, I was told in the Government Survey Office, that the hind was protected from the river, and drained for storm water. Neither of the above has been done, and what has been wasted on culverts, and a railway for 13 miles for hauling timber for one man only, could have made us a good many miles of road. I trust that the member for the district will see to the matter in the interests of his constituents— am, etc., A Settler. ' Auckland. August 17, 1853. THE HISTORY OF THE SURPLUS. TO TUB EDITOR. Sir,— Hon. G. F. Richardson's " History of the Surplus," as published in this morning's HERALD, manifests that grasp and intimate knowledge of the colony's finance which would he expected from Mr. Richardson by those who know him well. I think, however, ho has Sertoli"- erred in not frankly stating that in compiling his figures he had included in each year's expenditure the amounts transferred, out of each year's surplus, to the Public Works Fluid to be spent on railways and other reproductive works. . The total amount thus transferred during the period embraced by his history is £1,530, so that impartial minds who take the trouble to examine his figures will not be able to compliment him on either the fulness or fairness of Ids history.— am, etc., J. 11. SHEBa. Auckland, August 16, 1898. . NORTHCOTE WHARF. TO THE EDITOR. -Kindly allow me to draw attention to the dilapidated condition of the Northcote Wfiarf, and the insufficient accommodation for ferry steamers calling there. The wharf is much too narrow foi the traffic to that district. When building is going on it is often very inconvenient and dangerous for passengers to get on and off the steamers, owing to timber, eto., lying on the wharf. On several occasions lately steamers have been unable to call, it is said on account of the state of the wharf. The Ferry Company have assured the residents they will run better steamers when Northcote Wharf is put into proper condition. As this is likely to bo a busy season, it is necessary that improvements be commenced at as early a date as possible.—l am, etc., TICKET-HOLDEE.