CIVIL SERVANTISM.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3627, 26 February 1883, Page 3

CIVIL SERVANTISM.

(From the Wairarapa Mercury of 1869.) Mr Z. : Is His Honor the Superintendent within , ? Provincial Government Official (astounded at the ignorance displayed by the country visitor) : His Honor has gone to Melbourne to"persuade General Chute to let the 18th Regiment remain in New Zealand. Mr Z. : When Avill he return ? Provincial GoA'emmcnt Official : He is expected back in the course of two or three weeks, and then he is going to England as a Commissioner to get more troops. MrZ. (Avonderingif allsuperinteiidcntshad such nice pleasant trips): Is the Provincial , Secretary in ? ProA-incial Government Official: Oh, no : .- lie is the editor of the Wellington Independent. Mr Z.: Is Mr Kiioavlcs, the Superintendent's secretary, in? Provincial Government Official: He is in, but engaged iv writing his monthly despatch to the London Times. Mr Z.: I suppose it's no use asking for Mr HoldsAVorth, as he is sure to be in the country performing his duty as inspector of roads. Proiincial Government Official (laughing to himself) : Well, he used to go occasionally in the summer, two or three years ago; but lately he has been hi the Land Office instructing'Mr Holmes hoAv to sell land, and Mr Jackson hoAi- to survey it. Mr Z: Is Mr Powlos, the accountant, engaged? Provincial Government Official: Yes, very busily, in his garden ; don't you know that this is a very busy time among gardeners '( Mr Z. (thinking he should very much like a billet under the Provincial Government) : But might I be excused if I were to ask Avhat your duty is that detains you in this deserted office 'i Provincial Government Official: Oh, I'm v supposed to bo deputy-scab inspector.