THE HISTORY OF THE SEPARATION LEAGUE.

West Coast Times, Issue 646, 19 October 1867, Page 2

THE HISTORY OF THE SEPARATION LEAGUE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMBB

Sib — Upon taking up tho "Evening Star" of to-night, I find that nearly two columns of that luminary is devoted to the discussion of Mr Shaw's claims to the office of Mayor of Hokitika, and the statements made in support of their line of argument arc such— especially as regards Mr Shaw's share in obtaining for Westland separation from Canterbury — that as a lover of truth, and in the interest of the fourth estate, as the Prea3 has been graphically designated, I am constrained to write these few lines, in the hope that il may find a place in your paper. With either Mr Shaw, Mr Prosser, or Mr Button I have nothing whatever to do ; for aught I care either of these gentlemen may attain the civic chair, and may the best man procure tho covet post say I ; but I say to forward the interest of any one candidate by base, unworthy, and unteuthful arguments, and mendacious statements such as that article contains is an insult to tho electors, a disgraoa to the organ of public opinion, and worthy of the loudest denunciations. The history of the Separation: Leagua is thus detailed in tho article alluded to:— " Throe men met together nvfront of a public building, &c." I ask you, Sir, I ask Mr Button and Mr Prosser's supporter!, Mr Browno'* partizans, the electors, and the public of ITokitika, whether the facts of the case support so preposterous an editorial deduction as is attempted to be forced upon them.

Granted that three gentlemen met together in the shade of some public building ; that they discussed and debated, as stated first, in too close proximity to a dirty gutter; that for greater comfort they adjourned to the private apartments of Mr Prosser, togeteer with Mr Cosgrave and Mr Browne; granted that sixty gentlemen were then proposed to form a Committee previous to calling a public meeting, of which Mr Shaw was one ; that such meeting was called, and a number cf gentlemen w"ere elected; that Mr Prosser presided at that meeting as chairman — vvnat then ? I'll tell you presently, if you will first fake note that up to this time the editor of the "Evening Star" has forgotten that Mr Shaw was nominated amongst the sixty gentlemen who held this hole-and-' corner meeting that has been so fruitful to the cause of Separation. "It was soon after this that Mr Shaw stepped in to take a prominent part in the new movement." I quote from the article. •' Taking advantage of a thinly attended meeting, Mr Shaw, Mr Bright, Mr South, and tliree or four others, succeedod in balloting themselves in as officers " — and what followed ?

Why, the disappointed and patriotic three tailors of Tooiey street, through the medium of the same respectable organ that now denounces Mr Shaw, at once organised a counter movement, and tried to induce a largo proportion of the original sixty to declare off tho roll, because forsooth tliey could not appear in uniform, or in other words the retreating army wanted to be officers to a man.

And these are tho patriotic Spirits, for whom is now claimed the honor and glory of tho short compaign that has resulted so successfully. And now let us see what these Gentlemen did on their own account. • Did they call a public .meeting? No ! Did they draw up a petition P No ! They simply contented themselves by holding one or two such meetings as the first described, at which nothing wa» agreed upon, and then they sank into their primitive insignificance. But as soon as intelligence was received that the efforts of the League were not likely to be in vain, these gentlemen all expressed their most anxious desire to re-join it 1 Yours, &c, CAEOLtfS GrlLlEliMtrs.

Why is a shirt-front like abridge? Because it looks best arched.

"Sam," said a boy to his companion, " d«es your schoolmaster ever give you a reward of merit ? " "I 'spose he docs," was the- rejoinder : " lie gives mo a licking erery day, and says I merit two." A stone cist with a complete human skeleton in it has been dug out of a sandbank about two hundred yards northward from Parkhill station, on the Formantine and Buchan line. The body has apparently been covered with an ox hide, the hair of which was not decayed in many parts. It covered tho head completely, and, wheii removed, the Bkull was found to be entire, only the lower jaw fell away.- No implements of any sort, warlike or otherwises, wero found in tho cist; but there was a very comploto urn— fully seven inohat high. *

"BiLLOTLNG HIMSELF IN." TO THB EDITOB OS THE WIST COAST TBISS.

Sib, — I consider that I am about the last person in Hokitika who ought to be made the object of a spiteful attack such as is contained in the " Evening Star" of to-night. Whilst holding a seat in the Provincial Council as one of the members for the town, I endeavored to do my duty honestly to my constituents ;' and on my retirement from a position of which I was always proud, I did not fail to receive many marked expressions of appreciation of the spirit in which I had fulfilled my trust. In face of the attack which has been made upon me, I may perhaps be excused for quoting from a letter from the Provincial Secretary, who was good enough to write to me : — " I take the opportunity "of saying to you that I much regret " the retirement — not alone on your cm .i " account, but also on mme — of (shall I " say an opponent ?) one who — however "he may have differed from us, or from " myself on some points — always did so "with a courtesy and a consideration " somewhat unknown *n political life, "and which I should very much like "to experience at all times. I trust " that you will have the power if you " choose to exercise it, of revisiting us as •' a member of the Provincial Council at a "future time. I say this, but do not " know what your views are with regard "to Separation. Perhaps you would " rather not come again to our centralising " Council, and look forward to the day " when you will have a Provincial Council •fof your own — a very natural wish, but which I think is not likely yet to be " realised."

I had certainly looked forward to further opportunities of usefulness in Christchurch, and was one of the last of the Westland members to make up my mind to Separationasthe oneonly remedy for the district. When I attended the meeting of themembers of the League and others at the Empire on my return from Christchurch, I took the opportunity, as I was compel l ed by my sense of public duty to do, to advise Separation as the only practical relief for Westland. It was a meeting publicly advertised, and a resolution was carried at it that the Westland members should be ex officio members of the Council. At a meeting subsequently held, the President, Vice-President and Council were appointed by ballot. I was not present at that meeting. In my case no ballot was required. When thp ' ' Evening Star" states that Mr Shaw on that occasion gathered his employes and adherents together, and that "Mr Shaw, Mr Bright, and Mr South, succeeded in balloting themselves in," it is, as far as myself is concerned, a malicious accusation, which I do not think anything in my public conduct should have exposed me to. In connection with the movements of the League, I thrust myself- into no office. I did not even seek the task of having a hand in the preparation of the "windy petition," the allegations of which have been verified by the testimony given by witnesses before a Select Committee of the Legislative Council, and which has resulted in the creation of the County of Westland. I have eadeavored with honesty and sincerity of puipose to serve a public cause, against every personal inducement to let things remain as they were. I may be excused I trust, if I warmly resent as a calumny the accusation that I sought to " ballot myself in " as a member of the League Counc' l , or the still more offensive insinuation that my public, course has been in any way influenced by my business relations. I am Sir, yours &c, Thos. L. Beight.