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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 1287, 2 December 1857, Page 3

We have been requested to publish the following correspondence, which, owing to press of matter, wo were unable previously to find room for:— Ghuznec-strcct, Wellington, November 17, 1857. Sir,—l beg to call your attention to a letter in the Spectator of November 14, signed “Buller, Interpreter,” being a translation of a letter also appearing in the sarre publication. It seems that two public clerks attached to the Court for the admini.'tration of Justice have not only taken upon themselves to meddle in electioneering matters, and to lead parties, particularly the Maories, to believe they have the authority of their office to induce them to do so ; but in this particular letter the Native Interp: eter, as he signs himself, has thought proper to call myself a snob. I should feel oblige! by you informing me—--Ist. If the said “ Buller ” has the authority of your Office for his abuse ? 2nd. If you are aware that he has made use of his position to vilify a candidate? 3rd. If he has not exposed himself to the censure of his superiors by such conduct? and 4th. If you have considered it your duty to reprimand him ? I have the honor to be, Your obedient servant, Robert Porter Welch. To Henry St. Hill, Esq., Resident Magistrate, &c. Resident Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, Nov. 18,1857. Sir.-t-I have the honor to acknowledge- the receipt of your communication of yesterday’s da’e, calling n:y attention to a letter in the Wellington Spectator of the 14th instant, sinned “Beller, Interpreter—in which letter yon state the wrper calk you a “snob,” and you desire to be informed as follows :— “Lt. If the said “Buller” has the authority of your Office for his abuse ? “2nd. If you arc aware he has made use of his position to vilify a candidate ? “3rd. If he has not expo:cd himself to the cencure of h s superiors by such conduct ? and “4th. If you have considered it your duty to reprimand him .

In reply, I beg to observe that I Lave not seen the letter to which you refer. But. about the period of ike late contest for ihe Superintendenny, 1 learnt through a private channel, that Mr. Buller, the Native Interpreter of the Courts in this District, had written a letter to a native at Otaki, the subject uf which was connected with the then pending election ; and that he had signed that letter in the usual official character he assumes when writing, by my direction, on judicial, or other matters, connected with this department. On receiving this information, I applied to Mr. Buller for an explanation. He told me that Lc had been requested by some of the members of Dr. Featherston’s Committee to make a translation of a circular letter, signed by the Chairman of that Committee, into Maori, for distribution amongst the Natives, and that in complying with this request, he did not conceive that he was travelling out of his province of Interpreter. He also stated that he had written a private letter to a native at Otaki, —covering the Circular letter—and that he had signed it as Interpreter. He admitted his indiscretion in having affixed his usual designation to that communication, but he did not at the time he had done so, think that he was acting improperly. I need not say that Mr. Buller has no authority from me for writing any such letter ; nor was I aware of the terms thereof, or of his having written any letter at all. He, of course, subjected himself to ccnsuic for having subscribed himself us Interpreter; and 1 felt it my duly to point out to him the imprudence of this act. With regard to the other gentleman to whom you allude—Mr. Hayden—who has been employed, temporarily, as an extra-clerk in this department, he informs me that he was merely requested by Mr. Buller the Interpreter, to take charge of a packet to Otaki, at the time that I directed him to proceed to that place to act as Poli Clerk ; and that he was quite ignorant of the contents of the packet entrusted to him. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Henry St, Hill, R.M., Principal Returning Officer.