WALIROA.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 42, 4 September 1875, Page 3

WALIROA.

, (FROM O-Ult OWN COHRKSPOXURNT.) Our J.P. meeting came of last night as advertised, and much disappointment was apparently felt thatthe Editor of the Patea Mail did not put in an appearance, as promised, in which your own correspondent Joined, as lie bad all be could do to parry the numerous and severe blows aimed by several speakers at the head of the poor Mail. An unusually largo meeting- having assembled Mr Winclicombe was called to the chair, and commenced the proceedings by reading—first the advertisement calling the meeting, and next a letter from Major Turner in reply to Mr Swmbourne’s second letter. The Major’s reply was merely to the effect that such communications should be sent through the Superintendent of the Province, anil 1 hat he had not forwarded Mr SwinhonriKVformer letter to the Minister of Justice. It would certainly have been more courteous on the part of the R.M. to the Chairman of a public meeting bad he returned the letter with its enclosure at once, instead of waiting lor a .second letter on the subject. A letter was read by the Chairman from the Superintendent, in which he stated that lie disapproved of J.P.’s being .selected by public meetings, and although he considered such appointments should bo made on the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Government having ignored his former recommendations for that office, ho suggested that application should be made direct to the Government. On the motion of Mr J. McLean, a memorial to the Minister of Justice, prepared by some unknown band, was then read to the meeting ; it pointed out how much Wairoa is in need of J.P.’s, and how the R.M. had neglected to forward the recommendations of another meeting, and wound up by praying that Messrs J. W. Kenah and James Nicholson should be gazetted to that honourable office. It was then proposed by Mr lon, seconded by Mr Newing,— 11 That the said memorial be forwarded direct to the Minister of Justice.”

Several speakers then addressed the meeting, and amongst (hem Messrs,!. W r . Kenah and James Nicholson, who both complained bitterly of the scurrilous abuse of (he Path A Mail. Mr Kenah said the Patka Mail did not adhere to the truth, and had heaped sen - rilonsabuse upon a whole community. IKsupported direct communication witii the (dovernment upon this and other public matters, and compared local ollieials with agents upon Irish estates. Mr Nicholson agreed with Mr Kenah in considering the article in the Patka Man. scurrilous and untrue, and suited as a fact that the Editor had informed’ him that a certain telegram from Wairon, anent canvassing for votes in public houses, was ‘ received from “our correspondent ” at "Wairoa.• Had not the Editor given up bis authority for the telegram be would have brought an action at law against him, only that he had not sufficient wool on his back to make it worth while. In the absence of Mr ,Ivcss, the Wairoa agent of the Mail got up to reply to the attack of the last two speakers, and called upon either of them to cpiote any untrue statement that had appeared in the columns of thr Mail, and said although he could only be held responsible for the letters of “ our own correspondent,” he felt it las duty to the proprietor of that journal, to defend Idm and Ids interests against general accusations of such a nature, and denied that the Mail had ever heaped scurrilous abuse upon a whole community, or made false statements, and considered ' it unfair of any person to say so unless prepared to read to the meeting the articles complained of in proof of such assertions, and reminded the accusers that they might, if believed, injure the interests of "'the paper. He would take upon himself, on behalf of the Editor, to deny point blank Mr Nicholson’s assertion that the Editor >■ of the Mail had said the telegram referred to was forwarded hy “ our com spondent ’’ at Wairoa. The meeting might believe which they liked, hut before they believed that or anything else Mr Nicholson told them, he would remind them that that gentleman had written a letter to the Patka Mail which was no nearer the truth than black was to white, and challenged Mr Nicholson to bring an action ■ against “ our correspondent ” if his statement was correct ; leaving it to the meeting to decide if there was wool enough on his back or not. Shortly after tin’s Mr Nicholson crossed the room to where the Mail agent sat, and in the most affable manner wished to explain the little difference. Your agent, however, only replied that he would possibly see things as Mr Nicholson did as ; soon as lie could prove black to be white hut uo sooner. Captain Newland remarked that he had read the article complained of, and considered it a very excellent one, and not at all scurrilous ; ho agreed entirely with its sentiments. Captain Hawes said lie had not been at any of the previous meetings upon this subject, but although allowing that J.IVs are required at Wairoa, he thought a wrong course had been pursued, and proposed as an amendment, which was se-

comled by Capt. Xowl a ml—“ That a memorial bo forwarded to the Minister of. Justice, who represents the Government in this matter, asking- that two gentlemen in ill-, district lie appointed as J.IVs, and ■drawing- his attention to the fact that two g-.-nt h-im-n had already been proposed at a for ..cr meeting- of the settlors. ’ After .'i lengthy discussion the amendment was carried hy a largo majority. It was then proposed by Captain Xewland, and seconded by Captain Old—'•That the Chairman forward the memorials, signing it on behalf of the meeting.'’ In conclusion, t must say I sincerely hope this will ho the last ms-ling at Wairoa on the subject of appointing;,l.P.’s, and t think if the Chairman contents himself with merely forwarding the amendment, as carried without any remarks or additions, the Minister of Justice will trike steps to satisfy himself whether Wairoa really requires J. Ps. or not. and if so, to appoint them ; and if notice be taken 01. the proceeding's In the It. M, Court, Paten, oa Thursday next, it will be seen that we could lind something for a pair of them to do sometimes. Yon will no doubt get well abused again by a few for publishing the above, but if you continue to stick to the plain unvarnished truth yon will never lack friends and supporters, not to mention the luxury of enjoying a clear conscience.