To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wanganui, Jane 2, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 37, 21 June 1845, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wanganui, Jane 2, 1845.

Sir, —Towards the latter part of Governor Hobson's time, and during that of Sir. Shortland, the police of this place became indebted to various individuals for supplies to prisoners in jail, expenses in attending trials at Wellington,- and other matters; the accounts were sent to the present Governor with vouchers, signed by the police magistrate, and were all returned to the creditors with the words, " I cannot authorize the payment of these accounts, R. ¥„" written across them. In one case', theparty was bound in a penalty of ;£IOO, to appear as a witness at the criminal court at Wellington, and incurred an expense of j£lO by his journey; all he got was the above quoted autograph. This is really very hard, particularly as two other individuals of this place had a distress-warrant sent down on their goods for non-appearance as witnesses at a criminal trial, they having absented themselves, because former witnesses had not been paid, and they could very ill afford the expenses of the journey. But not the least part of the matter is the way in which it appears the Governor endeavours to settle it, as appears by the following statement lately made at a meeting of gentlemen on some public business. Mr. Wilson observed he had been informed by Mr. King that, " as some equivalent for certain monies due to parties here for different supplies advanced to the jail during Mr* Dawson's time, which have never been yet repaid, and which his Excellency refuses still to pay, though the justice of the claims is admitted; that Mr. King, as some compensation, is allowed to retain bis- salary as police magistrate till September 1845 1 \' T In compliance with a request forwarded to Ef Muka by Mr. Forsaith, a party of natives will leave Wanganui to-morrow for the Hutt, in order to bring away their friends. The Wanganui natives with whom I have conversed seem satisfied that a conflict will take place between Te Rauparaha and Rangihaieta on the one part, and the white people on the other. One of them who repeated this opinion to me, remarked, on my reminding him that Rauparaha seemed to wish the Hutt natives to i*etire, — " Ah ! those are only words (putting his finger to his lips) —the payment for the money he has received from the white people ; but here (laying his hand on his stomach) he is for war. I remain, dear Sir, your's truly, A Wanganui Settler.