Correspondence.

Wanganui Herald, Volume II, Issue 474, 8 December 1868, Page 2

Correspondence.

TO THB EDITOR OF THE EVENING HERALD

Wanganui, Dec. 7, 1868. Sib, —Cannot the bridge material, lying uselessly on the beach, be turned to some account in the shape of blockhouses, which could be erected on the suburbs of the town. But I suppose nothing will be done under such a rotten state of government. —Yours, &c. Paterfamilias.

TO THJE EDITOK OF THE ETENING HEBALD

Wanganui, Dec. 8, 1868

Sir, —The impartiality and discrimination shown by you in treating on militia and native affairs, induces me to address you on those concerns, so important to Wanganui residents. This is Sunday, usually devoted to rest by your correspondent, but I hope the old proverb of " the better day the better deed" will not be misapplied in this instance. With respect, then to the militia. As the articles lately reprinted here from the English newspapers point to selfreliance, to our becoming a nation of soldiers, to England's not wishing to thrust her soldiers on the Colony, to the borne country having done sufficient already for New Zealand, and to our being better able to bear the burden and heat of the day than John Bull, apparently reduced to a dinner of herbs. It appears to me we should shoulder our rifles and accoutrements willingly, hoping God will help them who help themselves. We have helped ourselves to a

commander, who I hope -will be a c^H to the choice of the people. He sh^H bear in mind he is the elect of W^H ganui, and always temper his exhibit! energy and decision of purpose with cafl for the men and a careful avoidance <H his part of all petty tyranny and del ! potism. Although we may for a tinß : become a nation of soldiers, it is only iH defence of our lives, liberty, homes anH property; and while we would seek tfl be exempt from Maori cannibalism and* bounce, we should also wish to avoid having our shoulders galled by. military domineering and aristocratic hauteur Ihere are men in the ranks of good standing and age who will yet not object to give to their officers the respect due to their temporary promotion; On the attention to the comforts of militia officers and men stationed at a iedoubt or redoubts, I earnestly wish, Mr Editor, you will keep whatever wants and grievances they have in view beforethe public and the mihtia authorities. I hear some reports of their being, squeezed like herrings m. a barrel. Tour friend of the Times would not be able to shuffle very well under such circumstances. Now sir, the native affair or native affairs is or are too complicated and extensive for me to dilate upon to any great extent. 1 am a mild man, and I have only once had a real scrimmage or row with a native. Ido not exactly relish the idea of having them strung up in rows like herrings on a spit. Hangings by eleven or twelve at a time have not improved the feelings of the Australian citizens. At the same time murder and violence should not pass unpunished: It is for the authorities to take such steps as shall prevent murderers from being at large ihese are not times of ignorance to be vnnked at, for I hold the natives can reason nearly any given course of conduct as well as the average of Europeans, But whilst there is such a raid of opinion against native character, there are some sensible men wh6 have served with them in the wars, who give them an estimation lower in the scale, but greater m weight than their fellow European warriors.—Yours, &c,