CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 893, 18 September 1879, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[We<\onot hold ourselves responsible for opinions expressed l>y correspondents.] -' „"

■ i '■ ,: [translation.] ' v. --■'"> 'J fTflihe Editor of the Herald.] • Sir, — I am told that Mr. Hardy has written a letter m your paper, saying thajjg;'" Messrs... Bond and Allen had possession before the Natives commenced to cart their fencing material on the ground." lam told that it is cuatomary among the better class of Pakehas to refrain from .writing letters to newspapers containing statements calculated to affect cases m which they are concerned, and about to be tried. Perhaps this custom does not extend to him, since he does not observe it. I should not have referred to this case, had he not necessitated it. Messrs. Bond and Allen say that they took possession on the 16th March. We had then been over a month on the land, there was a vohare of oura on the land, and the framework of my house had then been erected by Mr. Berry, having been on the land some time previously. Some posts for fencing were placed on the land by us is m February, but we saw nothing of Bond or Allen till July. I should like to know who it was who used to witness the signatures of persons who were absent at the time of signing, and of others who were dead, to the great loss and suffering of the Maori people. , Mr. Hardy says, " Wi Pere was fully paid m cash, and he was satisfied." I reply : This is not true. He well knows the fraud by which my signature was obtained. He well knows that I received no cash whatever on account of a sale of my 'interest m that land. He knows well that it was the custom to give the Natives goods (principally spirits) on their private accounts, and then charge the same on the sly to any land m which the Native was interested, which the Pakeha desired to get. He well knows that at the time these deeds were signed-" the Natives were m a state of intoxication from one month's end, almost from one year's end, to the other. Concerning Mr. Rees let not Mr. Hardy needlessly excite himself : there is a time for all things, I do not think that Mr. Hardy has ever entrusted any sum of money to Mr. Rees ; he can therefore have nothing to. complain of. Let those persons who have done so complaiu if they will. It is clearly no part of Mr. Hardy's to do so. We are all perfectly satisfied with Mr. Rees, and determined to abide by his advice, which seems to annoy Mr. Hardy and causes him to vent himself to meddle with other persons business. Let me tell him that when all these cases are gone into his hands will be full of matters which do concern him. I have made no remarks as to the manner m which Read's estate is being dealt I with, or a8 to the way m which the proceeds of that estate are being lent to some persons. Mr. Hardy might then direct his attention thither and allow us to manage our own affairs. Mr. Hardy knows that I j ears ago consulted Mr. Sheehan on these, and kindred subjects, and that any action now tajcen is no new thing of to-day or yesterday, but is the outcome of injustice and oppression. . Wi Peue.