REILLY'S EXPEDITION UP THE MOLYNEUX.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 289, 22 November 1862, Page 5

REILLY'S EXPEDITION UP THE MOLYNEUX.

(To the Editor of ike Daily Times.)

Sic, —When I sold my boats to the Government. I did so on condition that they would appoint a proper officer to take charge of them when they arrived at the Dunstau.

_To my great surprise, on my reaching there Mr Jvrddell, the gentleman in charge, seemed to know nothing at all about the matter, imagining, I presume, .from the information receive J up there from the Government Surveyor, that nature's highway was close 1!, and that I should never get there. 1 was kept waiting for eight days nt the Dun-tan, Mr Keddell being unable to settle definitely with me, givingme a receipt for one of the boats, but assuring me at the same f.me that, on my getting to Dunedm, there would be no difficulty in getting my matters settled. Of course in good faith I took this statement relying upon it. For these last fifteen days have I, since my arrival in Dunedin, been dancing in attendance upon the Government authorities here, in hope.-; of getting the matter settled, much to my trouble and annoyance- Altogether I h tve been waiting in suspense for a settlement with them, dating from my arrival at the Dunstan, (19th October last), nearly a month. My axes have left the broad R in cutting trails, and opening up natures highway for civilisation ; and certainly had it not been for the present enterprise, the country would have remained just as impenetrable, and unknown aimost, as if we had never known of its existence. For verification of my- statement I have received information, npon which I can rely, that no less than six boats are now on their way up the Molyneux, and cer tainly the recompense I expected from the Government for such a work as that which 1 have performed, was not less than LSOO. I have been debarred, through not being able to get a settlement, from selling my boats to any one else; not one instance only occurred where I could have got almost any sum I chose to ask, I may mention, however, that I had hardly proceeded 100 miles, before Mr M'Crae. overseer to" Mr Musgrove, offered me a very large price for one of the boats, but as they belonsed to the Government, I would not commit a breach of trust, as I held them as their property. Now if this is the way to reward men who give their time and labor to such an enterprise as the one in which I have been engaged, I trust sincerely before very long, there will be a material alteration in this country.

I am, &c, D. REILLEY