The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 18, 1905. A PROTEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1457, 18 May 1905, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 18, 1905. A PROTEST.

The keen interest being taken in the forthcoming local option poll is evidenced by the holding of a public meeting to-night to protest against “ the removal of Mr G. J. A. Johnstone as Registrar of Electors for the District of Waiapu/' We assume that those signing the requisition will be prepared to offer reasons for their action. On the face of it, it would seem that the Government are rather to be commended than blamed for relieving such a hardworked officer of a portion of his increasing responsibilities. Mr Johnstone is one of those happily situated offioials who rightly bas the confidence and esteem of everybody; but being one of the willing ones he has been accomplishing work that, divided among several, might be considered more than enough. He is Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court, Deputy Sheriff of the Supreme Court, Clerk of the Magistrate’s Court, Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, etc., and being a conscientious servant of the State has often to work very long hours that no Government should expect of him. The addition of Registrar of Eleotors to his numerous other duties means heavy work and great responsibility. Why should anyone be other than pleased that Mr . Johnstone is being relieved of some portion of the burden? It may be said that he previously managed to carry out the duties satisfactorily, and no doubt he would do so again —but at the cost of his health, and at the risk of a serious breakdown. Why should any offioer be penalised in this fashion because he happens, in addition to ability and willingness, to have enjoyed ' robust health, enabling him to do what to some would be an impossibility ? It may be that objection is raised to Mr A. ! Keefer as successor to Mr Johnstone, but if so, no mention bas yet been made of that. It stands to reason that Mr Keefer or any other gentleman (Mr Barton, the former Registrar, excepted), will not be able to carry out the duties as successfully as Mr Johnstone has done, until they have had the experience that he has gained. At the same time anyone taking the office could be sure of getting any help and advice Mr Johnstone could give in the way of drilling a new man into the work. It is probably not generally known that Mr Johnstone himself had made representations as to the excesI sive duties thrust upon him, increasing as they do with the growth of the district. By the way, is Mr Townley, as Mayor, justified in calling a meeting, in regard to a matter in which the county electors, more than those in the borough, are concerned. as forming the majority ? The precedent is one that may land the Borough Council in a good deal of expense.