Original Correspondence.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 1284, 21 November 1857, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Sew Zealand Spectator. Wrllinyton, November 19, 1557I b?? the insertion of a few lines in contradiction what Independent' 8 Reporter has put into my moii'h at the airarapa election. I am staled to have said that “ mj* party in town had asked me to accept Mr. Park's appointment, and that I had agreed to do it.” In reply to Mr. Tuily’' question. “Are you seeking a seat in Council with an intention of taking Park's billet?” what I really did say was. that such a supposition must have originated in consequence of a threat made by Mr. Park on the occasion of the elec lion of Superintendent, “that he would jesign if Dr. Featherston was not elected; ’ that such a threat taker, in connection with a letter sent to the General Government by the Land Commissioner in which it was staled that no person but Mr. Park could enab'e the Commissioner to make out the Crown Grants, was looked upon by the party in opposition to the Provincial Government, if what the Commissioner stated were correct, as a serious attempt of the Superintendent’s party to intimidate the electors in giving their voles; andon my being asked by she opposition party if there was any truth in the Land Commissioner’sasserlion, that no other person could enable him to issue the grants to land purchasers, I said, “ certainly not, any surveyor would be able to do so.’’ There is not the slightest truth in the report that “I was asked and had agreed to do it.” Another misrepresentation in the Independent's report is ‘’that Mr. Hughes had not polled one.” I did not ffo to the poll. Finding that the Greytown and Maslerton people had generally pledged themselves ’o Carter and IJorlase I withdrew, notwithstanding many who found they had been incautiously entrapped by Mr. Carter's friends into signing a 1 etpnsition, came to vote for me. On consulting ;with them it was thought most advisable for me to retire, that Mr. Borlase, whom we thought a fitter representative than Mr. Bevans, mighthave a better chance of being returned. I am, Sir, lour most obedient servant, J. HUGHES. To the Editor of the Sew Zealand Spectator. Wellington. November 20, lfis7. Sir.—There is an explanation of the capricious and arbitrary dismissal of Major D’Arcy, and he tramft r of his office to Mr. Holdsworth, which any one who has experienced or maiked the intense vindictiveness and self-will of the late Superintendent, will readily accept as the true one. Theie was probably a twofold motive. First— Major D’Arcy is an liishman. Almost incredible as such narrowmindedness must be, the part taken by the Irish in the late election was quite sufficient to excite in minds of a peculiar temper that mixed feeling of petty spite and obstinacy which vented itself in a deliberate insult ,to an individual of the mi itary. If my knowledge of human nature does not deceive me, it would just at this moment be a positive pain to Dr. Featherston in any way to be brought into contact with an Irishman, it would be a positive relief to him to kick one, spit at one, or otherwise insult one. “ They shall see what I care for this Irish opposition,—l will turn off the rnly one I have in Government pay.” Major D’Arcy accordingly was cashiered. Then petulance and obstinacy took another form, and suggested a second motive. “ But what if his dismissal be looked upon as a concession to the cry against unnecessary offices ? I would not seem to be giving in one bit. I know what I will do ; I will not give up the offica. I will give it to ti e least popular and most blamed, because most apparently venal, placebo dcr; 1 will give it to the Registrar of Immigrants. Ilish, hish hish H! ” V e need not, 1 think, look further for a solution of this official spleen. Of course the failure of the appoint* meat in its prime intention, the fact that the votes of discharged soldiers, nay, of the office-bearer himsel! were not purchascable by such paltiy means, removed every ground of compunc ion in the dismissal. Besides, the difficulty ot arrangement fui' sa’ary depenJent ou a vote of the Provincial Council, might be thus saved; but which could easily be managed by an understanding in the case of dependent and out-and-out supporters, holding . ffice “If I can get tin money, I will give you a himdsoire salary ; but you must 'ake your chanie.” Thus explained, he mystery cca cs to be a marvel, and is in s'.iict keeping with the cbaiacterand sentiments of the drama being enacicd before cur eyes. Your obedient servant, ’ A TRUE PATRIOT.