THE EXECUTIVE AND THE HUNDREDS ACT.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1963, 20 August 1869, Page 2

THE EXECUTIVE AND THE HUNDREDS ACT.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sir, —Until lately I was under the impression that the members of an Executive, appointed by the Superintendent, were bound to act in harmony with him or to resign office, when he might appoint successors, whose views coincided with his own. It appears in Otago things are managed differently. If I understand the matter, a Superintendent as the mouthpiece of the Government simply does what he is requested by the Council to do. But his Executive are thereupon first said to “ protest.” still however sticking fast to the emoluments of office Next they are reported to have resigned, or to be about to resign, in whi hj case your evening contemporary adds “ an immediate re assembling of the Provincial Council should follow as a matter of course.” But the only matter of course that I can see legitimately following the supposed event, is that the Superintendent appoint another Executive, and proceed with the business of the Province in a regular way. With regard to the main cause of all this storm in a teapot, it will not fail to strike your readers, that it proceeds from persons whose own special and personal interests are affected. Now, while I do not blame any man for looking after number one, I protest against his seeking mere selfish ends, under the plea and guise of patriotism and tbe public good. No doubt it would be a very nice little thing to put the country to the expense of a few more thousands of pounds in the election of country members and to give them an opportunity of a few week’s scramble for place, and combined attempts to compass personal advantages to the disadvantage of the province at large, which I believe to be the real motive power underlying|or putting into form all the blasted energy and zeal for the public good. And this too will, if I mistake not, be made to appear in due time. Colonist.