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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1170, 16 January 1880, Page 2

Yet another blunder—if it is not worse—has been committed by the Government. An Auckland telegram informs us that Mr. Hesketh, of th 6 legal firm of Hesketh and Richmond, has been appointed Royal Commissioner for the purpose of investigating claims connected with the Eakaka block, which is a part of the Te Aroha estate. Mr. Hesketh, be it understood, is Mr. Thomas Russell's solicitor, and, acting for that gentleman, lately demanded from the Government the inconsiderable area of about 35,000 acres of land comprised in the Te Aroha block, as compensation promised by the the Atkinson-Whitaker Government in consideration of his client's withdrawal from opposing the Government in the purchase of certain native lands. Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond, we believe, are also occasionally favored with briefs by the Attorney-General, who admitted not long since that he had acted as Mr, Thomas Russell's agent. Our readers will, perhaps, unjustly opine that the whole affair has a decidedly family appearance. That may be the fault of cruel fate, or it may be attributable to discreditable motives. But the idea naturally suggests itself to us that it will be quite possible that Mr. Hesketh may, under the circumstances, find himself placed between two fires as Commissioner 'in connection with a dispute concerning a portion of the Te Aroha block, and we would not be surprised if it were discovered that he has no right to occupy such a position.