The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1874.

Dunstan Times, Issue 613, 16 January 1874, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1874.

Heneaththolluleof Mon entirely just the pen* is mightier than theswoKD.

Gubernatorial visits are hy no means uncommon now-a-days, sti'l we think they should he worth the money expended upon them. Judging from the speeches made by Hi* Excellency Sir Jani**s Ferguson, he is a pretty close observer, and possesses considerable practical knowledge ,ol Colonial life. II is previous experiences whi'e Governor « f South Australia will doubtless be turned to good account in New Zealand, and which might entirely escape our notice It appears to have become an .established practice with Governors of Colonies upon taking office to make a tour <>f thei" dependencies, so as to acquaint themselves by personal observation with the people and things over which they are appointed to govern. The expenses of these vic<regal journeys mty be heavy, s' ill we should not find fault with the outlay, especially in this present instance—when we possess a Governor who sees everything with a practical eve, and does not hesitate to say what he thinks of all he sees. A little some honesty of expression is * ar preferable to the flattery which we have hitherto been used, nml although it mi,dit not be so pleasant to be told wiiat we are. an 1 wh t we want, it is much bitter lha being praised for virtues, which we do not pos-es«. We are capable of considerable improve me nt, and- we can only thank Sir James for his outspoken honesty in expressing his opinion of things just as he r>ees them. At the present moment the office of Governor is doubt? less a pleasant one, and this will certain to be to whijc everything works

smoothly, but it cannot always bo the case ; the Public Works Scheme will

not prove the high road to unmingled happiness and prosperity. The net work of railways which looks so nice upon paper are not completed yet, nor is it certain that, evep when so, they will prove as remunerative as our sanguine Prime Minister Would desire. His Excellency we should imagine does not see things in such a c oleur du rose fashion as many would hope that he should, his experiences in Colonial life extends beyond New Zealand, and he must have learnt from practical knowledge that seaSons of great prosperity,or supposed such, are in the Colonies usually followed by corresponding ones of depression. Hie time is possibly not far distant, whe .we shall appreciate the virtues of an independent Govei nor, one who can think for himself and who will refuse to be swayed wholly by his advisers when he Suds them reckless o' consequences, and looking more after their own private interests than tirosof the community at large. We may pretty safely assure ourselves that Sir James will hod easily be hood v inked. and when tiro time conies for action, he will he found the “ tight man i the right place” Our rec-ption of Fis Excellency has not been so tie monstrative as upon former occasions, but tilling have changed—we do :os possess the means or the population as was dr case when Sir Gorge Geev paid ns a visi*—another thing, a rent live Governor had n- v<r ef>re mad* his appeal'aine r morn s* us. aid «•, made nro.-t of the < reason . hj *•*■.• . e.We have m-coml d Sir J, ntis I‘Vignsoo as hearty a wale,me a-, lay wi hi - i air power ; «e ha'*' w* hj *pe pr ve<| one ’ .-elves ihoron-.h y l*nal su’j of Her M j -fy the Qa-en. a * a rhenj, so many tle Uvindsof miles from the country of our birth, we have shown (hat we still retain that lov*- of order' and respect for good government peculiar to Euglidimen.