THE STORY OF A TELEGRAM.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1770, 4 September 1874, Page 2

THE STORY OF A TELEGRAM.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sib,—The Thames Advertiser, on the 21st ot August last, published, on the authority of a Mr. T. B. Wilson, a document purporting to be a copy of a telegram addressed by the Hon. Mr. McLean, Native Minister, to the Hon. Mr. O'Horke as follows, viz :—

Thanks very much for telegram about Thames demonstration ; see editors of papers, and induce them to write agivmt it and the action taken by the miners respecting Obinemuri. The Government do not loish the country to be opened. ! ! ' At- the 'same time remarking— Our readers will recollect what mystery, surrounded the formation of the militia corps which hm sinco been, employed on Waikuto railway .works. . A;document which has come into bur possession may servo to throw somo light upon the jsubject; and also upon the genuineness of the' expressed wishes oa t'io part, of" the GfoTernment ,rospecting- tha opening of Ohinewuri. In Pceember last .there was a strong demonstration regarding the opening of ilia Upper Thames for prospecting, ITikutaia and ■ Whaßgamata having failed to meet expectations, and a visionary proposal was made that Ohinemuri should bo rushed.' Government officials pretended to be in the utmost state of consternation at this, and spoke of arrests for treason and revolution, threats which were made broadcast by Mr. James Mackay, tho G-overnmont Agent. If we are rightly informed one or. two who seemed to take an active part in the proposed movement were singled out for immediate Vengeance. Soon after the mysterious navvy corps was formed, and it was at ,the time suspected that the real object which instigated the G-OTternment in enlisting that body, was to prevent nilners from proceeding to Ohinemnri.

On the 29fch ultimo" the Advertiser, in fa leading article, says, on the authority of. its correspondent, W.C., that "the-ex-tract as published is substantially correct." -A-ljf, " the Ministry now admit a portion omhe charge brought against them, but get out of the position by a quibble because the wbole of-the telegram was not published." For the information of. the public >. who,are interested-in the Ohinemuri question, and to place the action taken by the Hon. the Native and Defence Minister in its proper light, I transmit herewith certified copies of the only telegrams addressed - by the Hon. Mr. McLean to. the Hon. Mr.O'Jlcrke in December, 1873 —

Tele&bam.—Hon. D. McLean to Hon. M. O'JRorke, December 13th, 1873. ; Tauranga to "Auckland.—Tauranga, 13th December, 1873.—H0n. M. O'Borke, Auckland.—You are no doubt fully acquainted with thj digigers' excitement about Ohinemuri. I hope you will exert yourself in Auckland to see the editors connected -with the press aud ondo'avor to refrain them from adding to the present irritating feeling which is being created between the races. Would you also consult with Attorney-General and Whitnker as to the legal Bteps to be taken in the 'event of a rush,' or an attempt at a rush, oh Native Land at Ohinemuri. I will keep the oEce berfl.open to night to hear what step* you have taken in the matter. The subject is one of importance to Auckland, and the Superintendent should bo seen by you in order that , we, should act in concert with him in the best means of repressing the present violent agitation, which, is only calculated to dtlay the opening of the country and to defeat the objects which the agitators profess to have in view.—(Signed) Donald McLean.— (True CQpy, of original telegram.—J. Maekay, j.) ' ! Telegbam.— Hon. Telegbamiu Thames D. McLean to Hon. Advertiser, purportM.- o'E.orke,, Decem- ing to tioiae from Hon. ber 14th, { 1873.— D. McLean,—(Date) Tauraoga to Auck- 14th December, 1873. .land. —Tauranga, De- —Thanks very much cember i4th, 1373. for, telegram about —Hon.' M. O'Eorke, Thames DemonstraAuckland, — Thanks tion. See Editors of .very much for telo> papers • and induce gram and for trouble th«m to write against you have taken. I it and. the action have heard from . taken by the miners Maekiy, and Ido not respecting Ohinemuanticipate that a"y „ri.. The Govertuncnt, rusli %7-ill 'be at- do not wish the conntempted 1, still, it is ad ' try to he opened. well to get AttorneyGeneral's opinion.— (Signed) Donald Me- ' Lban, —.Truecopyo original talogram.—J., Maekay,^. . , _. ' t It wilLbe seen from a peruaal of I;heso documents that Mr. T. B. Wilson's statement is incorrect in every particular'; and that the Honorable*' Mr. McLean never transmitted any such telegram -as that said to have been found and copied by Mr. T. B. Wilson, and published in the Thames Advertiser. ,The accompanying copies of letters from Mr. T. B. Wilson to the Hon. Mr. Vogel will probably bo a sufficient explanation of Mr. T. B. Wilson's reasons for the action taken by him. I may also atate that he came to Whakatiwai t& I consult tno on the same, subject," and offered to give up the copy of ,the telegramto me on condition of receiving' a pecu • 'njary reward, and a G-oyernment appointment. He tbjen stated, tlutt;.although-;he. delivered the original document to the Hon.' Mr. O'Borke, he retained a copy of it., I thqught it my duty to communicate with the Government respecting Mr. Wilson's statements, and received the following reply from the Hon. Mr: McLean, that—"The Government would >,not countenance any such attempt at'eitortion on Mr. Wilson's part." >; "fhortland, Thames, July 27, 1874.—To'the' Hon. Julius Vogel.—Sir,—Some time since the writer found a certain telegram from the ■■Hob,/ D. McLean to tha Hon. Mp. O'Kbake (8us)", from Wellington to Auckland. . That telegram the writer found in the street in Auckland, and I returned to the Hon. Mr. I 08. without fpeaking of the cont«nti of

the said telegram to any person, and up to the present I hnvo not received any reward or remuneration of any kind. Tho telegram referred to had refer»nco to tho Thames generally, find Ohinemuri particularly. Th« contents of this telegram has never been divulged to any poison. As lam poor, and eufc of a situation for some time pa»t, should I cot hear from you forthwith. I §hnll f ee l myself at liberty to publish in t,ha Tbamea Advertiser the content* of the telegram mentioned, enclosing my addr-ss.—l am Sir yours'very'respectfully,'T.'B. Wiisoit' * Thf.mc», ■ July 27,- 1874 —To. the" Hon. | Julius Yrg>l.—Sir,—ln'alct'tcrT har« just | posted an error ha* occurred. ■■■ Tho telegram,: rcferroi tow>s ecnfc from Taumng*, not^-ai 'stated in my other letter) from Wellington. i Trusting toheorfrom you sor>r>, T cm,' Sir Toun» Tery"i'wspeJtfuliy v-(Bigajed), T. B*. • Haying thus placed ..before, ft} the correspondence, it is unnecessary for me i to drayr attention to Mr. ,T. B."; Wiltoa'g conduct in fabricating the document iv i question. Even -supposing that •■ueh. '■• telegram" hsd been, {forwarded by 1 Mr. McLean, found by Mr. Wilson. I and returned, - to • Mr. p'Borke, as | stated 'by the Thames; Advertiser. | what right had he to retain? a eopjr of it, " and would atiyT'espectablo journalist have published,, a, document procured under ,suck circumstances ?. As the wJi'ole'oTthe statements made by .Mr. T. B. .VVfilsqn and . the. Thames Advertiser about -this telei gram have no foundation' In fact, I hope • , that journal will take, a,lesson for juts future guidance. ; ' : ■'\j In conclusion, I beg to state that tke Thames Advertiser has; of; late indulged in writing articles, and publishing letters containing: charges : and insinuation! against my conduct of land purchase negociations. My reply to these it, that there is no foundation in fact for either the assertions or in«inuatib'ns| *nd:-th|it I have performed my,duty faithfully4nd honestly io the Government and the public, as the. result will .shortly prove, in despite of the% Advertiser's attempt!, to mislead its'readers for political purposes, which are thoroughly " understood and duly appreciated.'— I am, «fee. ;■'■ ?• ' w . , "f' ' JAMES-MiCKAT, JB. Whakatiwai, Ist Setember, 1874.