The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1880.

Dunstan Times, Issue 967, 29 October 1880, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1880.

Beneat.htherule of meyi entikeiajust</i pen is mightier than the sword

Our telegraphic news informs ns that Sir Dillon Bell has been appointed Agent-General vice Sir Julius Vogel, resigned. A more fitting selection could not have been made. Sir Dillon commenced his career in New Zealand in 1847 as Secretary of the New Zealand Company which effected the colonisation of what may be termed the “Strait settlements,” including the Provinces of Wellington, Nelson, and Marlborough. Ho was then a young man, and a modest salary of L2OO a year was all he had to start with. He has made use of his opportunities, and has prospered accordingly, and none begrudge it. As a public man lie figured at various meetings held in Nelson and elsewhere to denounce the arbitrary conduct cf the Governor—Sir George Grey, who went about for many months with a bran-new Constitution, sent out f om England, in his pocket, refusing to put it into operation on the plea that the “serfs” of the day were not fit to be entrusted with representative institutions ; and to this day Sir Dillon has aiways been found voting on the side of constitutional li! enlism ; though unkind opponents uid aver

that lie frequently spoke on both sides and voted in the middle. As Speaker of the House of Representatives he was held in much esteem, and his translation to the Council was regarded as a public calamity. In his private capacity he has won “golden opinions from all sorts of people.” As a member of the West Coast Commission he has rendered invaluable services to the country, and the Report, which is mainly iSir Dillon’s work, is a most elaborate and exhaustive resume of the Native troubles, which will remain to all time as an historic record. He will go tc England with the satisfaction of knowing that he is regarded by the people of New Zealand as the best possible representative they could have. The Agent-General of a Colony is a kind of Ambassador; and although immigration has tern porarily ceased, and loans are at a discount, there is yet sufficient work to be done to justify the trifling expenditure contingent on securing the services of an able man for the position. Sir Edward Stafford will probably be disappointed, and MiReader Wood may indulge in “weeping, arid wailing, and gnashing of teeth ” ; but these things are of infinitely small consequence when weighed against the interests of the Colony. We congratulate the country on the fact of Sir Dillon Bell’s appointment.