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Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 48, 4 July 1844, Page 2

A rigid system of economy and retrenchment appears to be the order of the day, and wisely too, so long as the Colony is in debt. We understand the situation at the Flag Staff will become vacant by the resignation of Mr. Dudor, who intends returning home to England ; this would afford a favourable opportunity of making f ine adequate allowance to the Pilot, by combining the two offices, and we see" no reason why the Powder Magazine should not also be under the charge of the Pilot, and that situation, which is a mere sinecure, abolished altogether. By making this arra gemem, and increasing the Pilot’s salary so as to enable him to keep a boats crew, these three departments could be under his charge ; a small saving would be effected, and vessels would not be endangered, by inefficiency in the Pilot’s department; as that officer at present, cauuot with his small salary, keep any one to assist him, is therefore obliged to scull the boat himself to vessels coming in, and as this could not be done in bad weather, when the Pilot’s assistance is most needed, we fear some accident will happen, unless some such alteration as j\ve have above suggested he adopted,

; We are sorry to hear that Mr. Ba row, who has lately been changed about from one situation to another, (in the Customs, the Post Office, aud Police depaifments,) is now discharged iu consequence of the reduction made in the salary of Police Magistrate. Mr. Barrow is a gentleman much respected by all his acquaintance, and by all who cams in contact with him in his official \ capacity, in the several situations he has so ably filled under our local government. The preference should undoubtedly be given to married men, in the disposal of government situations ; and if any are required to bn dismissed, they should be selected from among the single men, who can always elbow their way through life, and provide a comfortable subsistence. We hope soon to hear that Mr. Barrow’s claims are not overlooked, and that he is reinstated in some better situation than the one he has left.

A poor man named John Kelly who was lying ill in a maori hut, somewhere ou the coast, near the East Cape, and in a very destitute condition, was picked up by the Catholic Bishop, Pompalier, (ou his return from Port Nicholson in the “ I don’t know,”) who kindly, rendered him every necessary assistance of food and clothing, and paid for his passage to Auckland. It appeared by the man’s own account that he belonged to a whaling station in the employ of Mr. Webster, but deserted with another man, for want of provisions, and was journeying along the coast with the intention of reaching New Plymouth, but was stripped by the natives of all his provisions and clothes, having nothing left to cover him but a piece of old blanket; he had wandered through deep swamps and for want of proper clothing and provisions caught a violent cold that reduced him to the condition he was found in. Upon his arrival iu Auckland medical aid was immediately procured, but was of no avail, the man died in a few days after, and was buried in the Catholic burying ground.

We are happy to be able to sta-e «h t a suggestion we made in last weeks paper f respecting the reduction of Licenses for Country Public Houses, will probably be adopted ; and come into operation immediately ;as it will be seen by reference to our Council reports for Tuesday last, that His Excellency has given notice of his intention to bring in a Bill to amend the Licensing Ordinance; with a view of affording facilities to travellers through the Country, by granting Licenses free of charge to persons of good character who keep a ferry boat, or lioises &c. for the convenience of travellers, also to make only a small charge to other persons of good character who have not these conveniences, but whoare living in those parts of the Country where houses of of call and refreshment are required. We are glad to hear that Mr. Mason’s Mill is in full operation grinding Wheat and Maize. W e hope the merry clack of her machinery will not cease, and that our industrious agriculturists will keep up a supply of grist till not a pound of foreign dour is imported. Serious apprehensions are entertained of the safety of the Cutter “ Ranger,” having been out a fortnight on her passage to the Bay of Islands, and not been spoken or seen by any other coasting vessel, although several have passed to and from the Bay since she sailed from Auckland. It is still very possible she may have put into some little harbonr on the coast, to repair her sails; as we have been informed they were in very bad condition. The * Dolphin,’ is however by the Governor’s desire in quest of her, and we sincerely hope our anxieties will soon be relieved by the happy intelligence of her safety. The Members and Friends of the Auckland Total Abstinence Society take Tea together at the Hall, on Wednesday next, being the Second A nniversary of the Society.- We hope to see a numerous attendance as the funds of the Society is very low and the Committee are anxious to get the balance due on the Hall paid off. See Advertisement. We beg to remind the public that Mr. Searle takes his Benefit at the Victoria Theatre, Shortland Crescent, on Monday Evening next. A good bill of fare is announced, and we trust the Friends of the Drama will come forward in support of Mr. Searle, who although an Amateur is lately much improved..