The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1873.

Dunstan Times, Issue 575, 25 April 1873, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1873.

Beneath the Xlule of Men entire ly a ust the pen is mightier than thos word.

Ab in all probability tlie twelve months leave of absence given to Mr. Warden Pyke, the officer in charge of the Tuapeka gold-fields, will necessitate the removal for a time of our respected Warden Mr. W. L. Simpson, we think it is high time to complain, and at the same time use our best endeavors to prevent, if possible, the Dunstan District again suffering by the withdrawal of its official head to fill up temporary vacancies elsewhere. Without having any desire to interfere with the arrangements of the Government, or to call into question the policy of giving Mr. Pyke twelve months leave of absence from his official duties, wo believe that that'gentleman has well earned his holiday, having been constantly in harness almost since the first discovering of gold in Otago, still, we may be permitted to suggest that the Dunstan District should not any more be made the scapegoat for others by the withdrawal of its Warden to fill up va cancies wherever such may occur. That Tuapeka requires a first-cla*s man we thoroughly believe, while it is also our firm conviction that Mr.WL. Simpson is a gentleman in every way fitted for the post, in fact, it is acknowledged on all sides that he is one of the most competent goldfields’ Wardens and Magistrates wo possess. Since stationed at Clyde Mr. Simpson has made himself thoroughly acquainted with the district and its requirements, and wo arc quite correct in saying that, taking (ho Dunstan District as a whole, it is the most important of our gold-fields. Alluvial and quartz mining are carried on extensively and upon a large scale, the operations in both of these industries involving a very considerable outlay of capital in plant and machinery; next, wc have “ dredging,” an industry to which this district gave birth, and which is being profitably carried on, while operations arc considerably extending themselves by the introduction of new and ingenious rnachi ncry. Mr. Warden Simpson, since his appointment to this district,-- has only had time to make himself acquainted with the details of the place, and having become identified with the people and their pursuits, it is an injustice on the part of the Government to remove him, but while according them every right to do as they please with llieiv own officers, we at the same time protest against the public being inconvenienced. Taking the sense of the gold-fields on the subject, the removal of Wardens is desirable, but this can bo carried too far ■ we believe that at stated intervals every gold-fields’ officer should be shifted, and were this proposal carried out systematically, the public interests would be considerably advantaged, and oflicors would gain experience thereby. The Dunstan district has unhappily had too much of this, every rcmoval has affected it, and its interests have suffered considerably from a phlethora of official changes. Since Mr. Simpson has fulfilled the duties of a Gold fields’ Warden, we know of no instance where a complaint has been made against him, or a petition got up for his removal, now wo would suggest to the Government that where this has been the case, when temporary removals become necessary, officers so complained against might bo appointed to fill up vacancies. A petit : on for the removal of a Warden may or may notarise from personal motives, still at the same time people do not attach their signatures to such petitions unless without some sufficient reason, and it must be very clear to all parties that any officer so complained against cannot enjoy the universal confidence of tic district in

which he may be located. W 0 are afraid that our representative. Mr. TL. Shepherd is not looking after" our interests as lie should do, as wo fool assured he would not cease to protest against such a continuation of flagrant acts of injustice being done to the district lie represents, as this repeated removal of Wardens.. We can only conclude by saying that, we have suffered enough fiom this lately, and it would only be fair on the part of the Government to lot other districts have a turn.