ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 565, 12 March 1851, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Wellington Independent. Sir,—As Sir George Grey.has refused to institute eny inquiry into the circantstVn,cqe connected with the death «f A. R. Huret iu'the (Jqjopial Hpspltrfon the 22nd February, or to afford '«ny redress for a moat gross and unfounded caliinjhy propagated toy the Colonial Secretary on the authority of tho Colonial Surgeon, 1 have no other alternative left t!>«iV to request you to publish the enclosed. correspondence. I am, Sir, ~ , I. E. FIATHEIISTOK. March 10,1851,

• . . Wellington, Feb. §4 1851. Bi«,—Understanding that the Colonial Secretary M •spreading : a report thntr-r-Hurst was sent to Hie Colonial Hospital because ho was jn a lippflle state, I beg .very respeotfiilly to call yojur Egaellency s attention, to a brief statement of' the history of tue owe., as I carinot nllow Mr. Dojnett to. attribute the socriflce .of this man's life, either to myeelf or y>e oilier >ofehei6ni»l men who saw him pretioue to •Wβ Rdmisßionintb ,the Ilopnital. Mr.' Neni«itli|. *»?«» e?"e4 to Hurst lust Wednesday iilgift

■don't cheer, I cannot talk.) Loud and continued cheers. There are persons who are with extreme liberal opinions ; look at America, fr«e in theory but not in practice. And he for one should deplore for years to come if we in this little colony should attempt to copy them—as communities became larger and more intellectual, they may assume more power Many of old Scotias sons can tell what it is to have many rulers in their native land. Turning once more to France, what did they do to their King ? They established a republic, and thousands lost their lives, desolation were spread over the country when Napoleon arose to complete the scourge. He is gone, and I speak no ill of the dead, though thro' his ambition 2,000,000 souls were cut off at an immense cost. The sword never brings peace in its train or justice. In conclusion he said the Governor by his acts had benefitted the colony, and especially the Hutt district; but he wished to state one thing more. The slaughter house act—when the deputation that waited on his Excellency to invite him to-day stated that, at another time, there was a complaint they wished to make, his Excellency desired to know what that complaint was; and having explained to his Excellency the effects of the slaugh-ter-house act— his Excellency promised at the earliest period possible it should be altered, and a measure should be passed that would be pleasing to every settler. In conclusion he hoped every settler would be temperate, and he knew there were a few opposed—he earnestly wished them to remember that union was strength; for divided we fall, and that they would show their good sense to return to their mattocks and shovels, for every one is selfish except his friend farmer White, whom he had known for the last 10 years, as one of our best settlers. He should now give Sir Georye Grey. Long and continued cheering.

. His Excellency then arose and said— Mr. Chairman, and gentlemen: I cannot thank you in the ordinary way for the kindness of the invitation, as it affords me much pleasure to know that you intend more than the mere compliment. I feel the more gratified because I believe it to be the spontaneous feelings of your hearts. When I first landed in Port Nicholson the first thing I did was to ride to the Hutt. You must remember the Government had told the Natives that they must leave the Hutt and return to their respective places of abode, instead of which, they put themselves in an hostile attitude. I then saw that in the valley of the Hutt would be fought the battle of New Zealand, and then I saw men hastening their wives away with their children to a place of safety. But when I saw those men return with muskets on their shoulders, I feared not the result —and tli'e end lias justified my thoughts. Also when I first lauded at Port Nicholson I saw that around the town there ( could not, for many years, be any return for labour. I thendirected my eyes to the valley of the Hutt that there by the industry und labour of the settlers, a return would be made, but there was no road ; what was to be done for I saw men with their sacks of wheat on their back, using every noble effort without any return for their labour, the first thing was a road to the Huttandtoopen up the country. And now I find what may be termed a vision— a happy and contented community. But though a plan could be drawn it was powerless, it depended on Great Britain to aid in that great plan of opening the country every onehas therefore to thank the Home Government for the aid, and to those who assisted in drawing those plans. But what do I now see " a poem " the whole family of the Hutt, women and children. My spirits rose to see so great and prosperous a change—l trust I shall see the road to the interior opened ere long. The interior possesses the entire wealth of the Hutt aud Port Nicholson and no efforts shall be wanting on my part to carry them on. I have seen in a periodical from a neighbouring colony the works pourtrayed as a beautiful Italian palace never to be finished. But Fitzgerald has shown the difference and the simile ceases. The history furnished designs nothing. for my personal comfort nor for my own pride—but for the benefit of posterity—and I shall meet with a rich reward if some public man shall complete what I have begun. The kindness 1 have received at your hands this day— is gratifying, and if at some 25 or 30 years I should return to this country as a stranger, I trust I shall find some young Mr. Ludlam may rise as the representative of the Hutt District, or some Mr. Petre, I shall feel thankful Ihave had some share in bringing about the happy result. Toast The peace and prosperity of the Hutt.

Mr. Knight rose to return thanks and said time was when they were starving, now they had a pound in their pockets. The Chairman then gave the' Lieut.Governor.

His Excellency briefly returned thanks for the honor done by saying he was happy to meet with the Governor-in-Chief and the settlers; it was gratifying to witness the success of the Hutt settlers, and nothing but persevering efforts and indomitable courage could have produce such happy results. The Chairman gave the Army and Col. M'Cleverly. Air British Grenadier Col. M'Cleverty returned thanks. Tonst Mr. Dillon and the Navy. Air Rule Britannia.

Toast Lady Grey. Air Lass of Gowrie,

His Excellency returned thanks briefly, as he was desirous that the wives and children of'the settlers should partake of the" hilarity of the occasion.

Toast Lady Eyre. Air—Galop. Mr. Eyre in returning thauks said that Mrs. Eyre had had but indillerent he?Hh fllmost from her first arrival in the colony, but her health was much improved of late and she would be happy to be amongst them and to take an interest in their school. Col. M'Cleverty gave the ladies of the Hutt. Air Auld lang syne. Mr. Lutllarn on behalf of the ladies returned thanks. Mr. D. Wakefield in a short speech introduced the Chairman's name fur the toast, and gave Our worthy Chairman to-day. Mr. Henalls expressed his thanks for the manner in which his health had been drunk. The party then retired to make room for their better halves, and the vouii" , Hutt scions.

Tbe company began to assemble about half-past seven for the ball; about 8 o'clock his Excellency and suite entered the room amid much cheering. His Excellency then led off , the dance with Mrs. Avery, and retired at half-past nine o'clock. The rest of the company kept it up until a late hour.

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief looked well and seemed exceedingly pleased.