Original Correspondence.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume XIII, Issue 1371, 22 September 1858, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, 20th Sept., 1850. Sir, —I wish to trespass on your valuable paper by a few lines on the subject connected with the Rev. A. Baker. Now, Sir, he is charged with an assault on a young female about thirteen years of age before a bench of sixteen magistrates; they decide against him, and fine him five pounds. Now, Sir, I think him guiltless of the charge that was laid against him, and that the girl was very young to give evidence, I heard some of the examination, and I know that she was very shy in speaking,—that her words were almost forced from her; for I heard her counsel’say to her, say yes, when she did not like to speak. Now, Sir, lam the father of a family, and no doubt but that some of the bench of magistrates are the same, and they must know oT themselves that young people arc often accustomed to droanling and talking very loudly in their sleep. I have a daughter about fourteen years of age, and she is subject to dream in her sleep, and she will call out very much as if somebody were molesting her, so much so that her mother and myself have been quite alarmed, and wo have got up and gone to her, and woke her up, and she said that she thought that, some one was molesting her

so you see that it was quite a delusion. From what 1 understand, Mary Schroder was sleeping on the sofa, and she called out and woke up; end it happened that Mr. Baker was in the room nt the time; mid he being alarmed for fear anyone should think badly of him. left the room to look for somebody, not liking to be by himself lest he might be blamed. So I think him quite innocent of any charge, and I believe it to be the general opinion of the public, for they say it looks like a trumped-up case. 1 understand that the Rev. A. Baker’s political opinions differ with certain parties Well, if that is the ease, I ntn very sorry to think that a man, with a bit of honor in him, should harbour such a bad feeling in his breast as io try and injure a f<4low-crea-tnre, and that too perhaps for his whole life, and a gentleman in bis profession too. 1 would therefore say, if a man can’t do his neighbour any good, don’t do him any harm, for 1 am a friend to humanity and justice. I have known the Rev. A. Baker for some years, and his diameter. has been exemplary. I am, Sir, Your most obedient Servant THOMAS HOWELL.

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE WAI R A RAP A. Gentlemen, —I am prevented by business from waiting on you on the 23rd instant, but 1 have ascertained that the state of the Poll as made up from the various Polling places, is adverse to me. I am, however, desirous of addressing a few remarks to you, in reference to the late contest. You will perceive, on an analysis of the votes comprising the majority, that a large proportion of them is made up by men in the employment of the Government, and subject to its influence. The battle has not been fought out, as on former occasions, by the free and unbiassed action of parties opposed to each other in politics—butthe scale has been turned on behalf of the Government, ty persons in receipt of Government money. Do you consider such a state of affairs just ? And if you do not; will you not in future use your utmost endeavours, by combination or otherwise, to put an end to a system, which deprives you of your right as independent electors, to have the bona fide opinions of the majority among you, represented in the Council ? You will remember that it was stated on the hustings by the gentleman who seconded Captain Smith, and who was a member of the present Government, that the expenditure of this Province should I e kept up to .Cl 00,000 per annum, and that, by means of taxation. Observe, how certainly under the present system, with such an expenditure, you would be saddled with a permanent despotism. By an unscrupulous exertion of Government influence, men would be returned to the Council, prepared to impose and keep up the proposed taxation. By alike unscrupulous use of the money so raised, for instance, by paying more attention to the number of voles it would secure, than to the benefit which the Public derive from it, a body of voters would be kept at the disposal of the Government, to maintain its supporters in power, and virtually to set up a tyranny, by depriving you of true Representative Government. I trust that you will earnestly consider these things, and unite to preserve, I should say recover, that real liberty which you are entitled to as Englishmen, and which you are bound to hand down unimpaired to your children. To those who supported me in the late contest, I beg to convey my sincere thanks. I shall not hereafter offer myself voluntarily as a Candidate for your suffrages. But if you—believing my principles to be truly constitutional, liberal, and calculated to promote your real interests, as I believe they are—should at any future time require me to come forward, and oppose the present system of extravagance and oppression ; I shall always be ready to respond to the call. On this occasion I have been beaten but not disheartened. I believe the principles I advocate, to be those of truth and justice; and such principles, though repeatedly floored, (to use a familiar expression,) are sure to rise up stronger after every full, until they are ultimately triumphant. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, C. B. BORLASE. Wellington, 20th September, 1858,