The Globe. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1226, 7 February 1878, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1878.

The Ashburton County Council at its last meeting had under consideration a very important question —one that not only affects the district more immediately concerned, but the whole of Canterbury. Wo refer to the supply of water to the extensive block of land lying between the Rivers Rakaia and Ashburton. The want of water in this particular locality has hitherto prevented it being brought under such cultivation as it is capable of, and now that the progress of the district has been such as to warrant the necessary expenditure, the residents feel that they are entitled to ask for it. The subject was discussed pretty fully by the deputation, and their views appear to bo that for the present at least they would bo satisfied with a water supply for general purposes only, leaving the question of irrigation to come afterwards. Now, there can bo no question whatever that to carry out anything like successful farming in the locality referred to, recourse must bo had to irrigation. Without this, the land being of such a dry character, the power of production -would he hut small. Therefore any scheme which is projected, though having for its immediate object the supply of water should he such as to be capable of being converted into one for irrigation purposes as well. As we have said Ibis may bo looked upon as a matter affecting only the particular district interested. But it is not so. If by means of the proposed work an increased breadth of land now only used for sheep is brought under cultivation our producing power is so much increased, and thereby our exporting power also. Not only so, hut by the profitable occupation of this land wo increase our population by so many more houa jlde settlers. The advantages desired from this state of things are participated in equally by all classes of the community, whether resident at the particular locality proposed to be benefitted or not. Under these circumstances it will he seen that we here are interested in the carrying out of this work to a successful conclusion, Of its necessity there can he no doubt, and what lias to be considered is the details of carrying it into effect. Irrigation will, be required at no very distant date, audit is therefore important that provision should lie made for it in the scheme. For the present, perhaps, the Council ivill not he able to undertake more than the water supply—-which in itself will 1)0 a great boon—but this should ho so arranged that it can he made available for migration purposes by utilising the works already carried out. Wo hope that the Council will, so soon as it becomes possessed of the necessary funds, lose no time in taking steps to have a survey made with a view ji like of ascertaining the source from which the supply ean be obtained, and the direction the work should take.

Ois'Cij more the veteran warrior, John Ollivior, has been crowned with victorious laurels. Flushed no douht wiiJi hi s success iu the couiest with the Drainage Board, lie has gone forth to do battle with

oven n mightier enemy than this, anti returned a conqueror. He has bearded the lion in Ids den—even the Government at j Wellington, and his familiar haunts are to see him yet once again. "When some little time hack it was made known that the Government had suddenly dispensed with the services of one of the oldest and most efficient officers in the service, some astonishment was felt. This feeling was intensified when it also became known that no compensation was to be awarded to an officer of such long [standing, and the pul lie idea was that an injustice had been done. Beyond this, however, the public service suffered considerably. The school committee accounts throughout the province wore not audited at the usual time, and the Road Board accounts wore in the same position. Tims, apart from the injustice of discharging an officer who had boon for years in the service, without any compensation, the work of the department was seriously impeded. Those who know Mr. Ollivier will readily believe that ho is not one to sit down quietly under a state of things such as these. He has laid before the Government, personally. a statement#of his case, and the result is that he returns to his office. Apart from the personal and well-deserved popularity of Mr. Ollivier, the public generally will bo glad to hear this. No matter who the individual may ho, it does not accord with our notions of justice that an officer of fifteen or sixteen years’ standing should ho dismissed almost at a moment’s notice, and without the slightest compensation. If such were allowed to he the case our Civil Service would become utterly demoralised—there would ho no such thing as independence in it. The cadet joining yesterday under such a state of things would be in as good a position as the man who had grown grey in the service. Therefore wo are glad that one officer at least lias had the courage to stand forward to defend his position. It is true no hotter man for the task could he found than Mr. Ollivier. Those who have heard him in full tide of eloquence—-and very few Canterbury residents have not—can imagine his interview with Ministers. One thing is certain, that they would hear some truths plainly told. However, the battle —or the first skirmish, more properly speaking—is over, and victory rests with our genial friend. This is more than a personal matter. In bringing his case before the Government, Mr. Ollivier, besides fighting his own battle, has boon defending a general principle which should apply to all Government officers. Hence the result of his visit will have a wider effect than as regards the Provincial Auditor of Canterbury, and for this reason wc cannot „ but express our satisfaction at the result. For our old friend to have won his case would have been sufficiently pleasing, but when ho also gains a victory which, if permanent, has a salutary effect on the whole Civil Service, that pleasure is considerably increased.

Our venerable contemporary of Cathedral square lias made quite a stride in telegraphic enterprise. In Ins issue of this morning appear some European telegrams, which have already been published in the columns of several New Zealand papers, in those of the Globe amongst the number. 'With an amount of spirit which does our contemporary credit, he has, at the expense of the wire charges from Wellington, laid before his readers these telegrams. Had our ancient friend mounted his spectacles and perused last'evening’s Globe ho would have found that tho news has already been made public here. Nor will it, in future, he necessary to go to the expense of wire charges from Wellington to Christchurch. Provided lie acknowledges the source from which they are derived, he is at liberty to make use of the special telegrams to the Globe. As ho is not above taking the same nows from an evening journal published in another part of the colony, the plan wo have suggested will save him a small outlay, and the information given will he quite as full and reliable.