The New Zealander Page 3 June 7 1851 http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE To the Editor of the New Zealander Sir, - On the 23rd May a paragraph appeared in the Southern Cross, which might prove most prejudicial to me, and you would be rendering me a great favor by inserting the following. The day on which H.M. ships Havannah and Fly entered the harbour, I had to be in Auckland at the christening of my children, and having to leave Victoria Mount early in the day, the signal was merely hoisted to indicate the ships in sight; had I been at the station, the signal would have been shewn sooner that two of H.M. Ships were coming in. I beg to state also that I do not consider the working of the signal station as a mere "game of flags," as the editor styles it, but a duty which I always endeavour to fulfil to the satisfaction of the public, nor am I a drone as the same individual would try to prove, having other government duties to perform, in addition to the signal station; besides which I have to fetch wood and water for the use of my family from a distance of nearly half a mile. In reference to the three vessels that came in on Sunday, the 18th May, the Editor states, no one could tell from whence they came - may I ask how is it possible for me to tell when no pilot was taken on board, nor even a signal hoisted? Mistakes are often made by vessels coming in, shewing wrong signals, but still I am bound to answer the same at the station. On a former occasion the editor of the Southern Cross ridiculed me in a most shameful manner, and complained of my neglect of duty, but contradicted all he said in the following published paper, finding himself in fault instead of me; it would have been as well had he this time have ascertained whether I deserved his censure, before publishing what he has. Apologizing for the length of my letter, and for trespassing on our valuable time, I am, Sir, Your most obedient servant THOMAS DUDOR Signal Station, Victoria Mount June 2nd, 1851. Please feel free to send or forward this post to any list or individual who may have an interest in it. Regards Maureen Donwen