HOW THE MONEY GOES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 499, 10 November 1871, Page 1 (Supplement)

HOW THE MONEY GOES.

The Wellington correspondent to the Daily Times thus describes a lively fight in the house over the judicial estimates, in connection with which one of the grossest jobs ever perpetrated by a Government was brought to light Mr. Walter Buller, F. L. S., who was described by Mr. Haughton as one of those Colonial pets who must always be provided for at the public expense, was Resident Magistrate at Wanganui, with a salary of 400/. and some 70/, odd as forage allowance. In addition to this he held one or two minor offices, for which he received some allowances or fees. Some time ago Mr. Buller, who is an enthusiastic ornitholigist, applied to the Government for leave of absence to go to England, to publish a book on the ornithology of New Zealand Under the Civil Service Act, Mr. Buller was entitled to a year’s leave, but the Act expressly prohibits more than a year’s leave being given in any case. Nevertheless the Government gave Mr. Buller leave on half pay for eighteen months. Then Mr. Buller applied for assistance from the Government to publish his work, and offered to sell his 265 specimens of imported birds to the museum for the moderate sum of 300/. This offer was referred to Dr. Hector, who said the birds were not worth the money, that very few of the specimens were mounted, that there were many of them mere skins, that there were several duplicates, and several specimens of imported species. He, however, suggested that the offer might be accepted if Mr. Buller would give twenty copies of his book to the Government as well as his bird skins. This was arranged, and Mr. Buffer got his 300/. The Government also gave him 100/. to pay his passage home with, and a similar sum to pay his passage out with. These sums were given him under the pretence of aiding him to publish the work. But a paternal Government did something more. Mr. Buller represented that his time would not be fully occupied in England seeing his work through the press, and that for a consideration equal to what lie was receiving in Wanganui, he would be glad to give his services in England, Mr. Gisbourne asked what emolument he was getting at Wanganui, and Mr. Buller replied, about GOO/, per annum. This was a misstatement; as taking the forage into account, he only got about 650/. Mr. Gisborne, however, was not particular, and wrote to Mr. Buller, telling him that in addition to his half pay of 200/. a year, the Government would give him 400/. a year while in England if he would act as Private Secretary to Dr. Featherston. If, however, Mr. Gisborne added, Dr. Featherston would not require Mr. Buffer's services, no doubt Dr. Hector would be glad to avail himself of them as scientific correspondent, more especially in relation to Flax. Ic was also intimated that money would bo forthcoming fora European tour, if it should suit Mr. Buffer’s convenience to visit the flaxgrowing countries of Europe. So Mr. Br. Buller, who had only 550/. a year at Wanganui, has gone home with a bonus of 30u/. a free passage home and back, and GOO/, and travelling expenses, for attending to his own private business, as it is perfectly well known, and must have been within the knowledge of the Government, that Mr. Buffer’s real object in visiting England is, in addition to publishing his book, to eat his commons at one of Inns of Court, so as to return here a barrister. How much of his time is likely to be devoted to the service of the Colony may therefore be imagined. The job was such a very gross one, that even Government supporters could not swallow it, and a good many severe things were said about it I may add that Mr. Buller being away, the Government actually refused to give more than his half-salarj—2oo/. a year —-to the gentleman called on to discharge the duties of the office, and who was nat in a position to refuse such a pittance. Mr. Bunny protested very energetically against this, and at last extorted a promise from the Government to give another 100/. a year to this gentleman. During the discussion about Mr. Buffer, it came out that the papers connected with the case, which were originally laid on the table of the House, had been in some mysterious manner withdrawn, and others substituted, the latter not containg certain passages from Dr. Hector’s letter relative to the birdskin purchase, and which passages went to show how very bad the bargain was which the colony made in buying these skins. This very seiions charge was not explained, although Mr. Gisborne said he knew nothing of the papers being changed. The matter will, however, probably be lurther looked into. Mr. T. L. Shepherd was very jocose about the bird skin purchase, and drew such a picture of the Colony paying 300/. for the dried skins of some London cock sparrows that the House laughed heartily, but Mr. Gisborne said something intended to be very cutting about wasting the time of the House with attempts at feeble paltry wit, Mr. Shepherd immediately retorted that the House seemed to enjoy his feeble wit more than it did the dreary platitudes with which the honorable member so often favored it. There will yet be more heard of this Buller job.