THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1873.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1414, 11 February 1873, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1873.

Trouble seems to prevail both in the County and General Government firmanent of red tape, for the Departmental report on the one hand, of which fragments only have been so far vouchsafed us, and the new Civil Service Regulations on the other threaten an official revolution, local and colonial. Though not in a position owing to absence of data and information on which the Departmental Committee have based their re--1 commendations, we cannot but agrae on the whole with the result of the investigation. That the County has both been misgoverned and overgo verned there can be no doubt, and that a practical Committee, like that which has recently given in their report, by which a reduction of some .£7OOO a-year in cost of administration is ample proof of the fact. Without endorsing their suggestions altogether, owing to want of evidence, hitherto kept a profound secret, we cannot help thinking that the Committee has been prompt and bold in action. The idea of cutting off a couple of Wardens and Resident Magistrates, a trio oi Warden's Clerks* a

County Solicitor, a County Surgeon, reducing the salary of a favored gaoler, termed by courlesy a governor, dispensing with Harbormasters whose duties consisted in piloting a steamer about once a quarter and superintending a wreck about once a year, doing away with a dilettanti clerk-sergeant of police, reducing other civil servants to a salary in accordance with the times, are an accumulation of horrors that could never have been even dreamt of in quondam days, and could only belong to the regime of the sans culottes now in power. The most singular part of the matter is that the public appear to be gratified v at the proposed changes, and that they are prepared as a rule to wish the departing officials the heartiest God speed. As a matter of course, petty districts are excited at the prospect of losing their equally petty magnates, and efforts will be made to retain the show of pomp and circumstance that such representatives of the law afford. But, just as necessity has no law, so necessity in the present instance compels proposed economy, and disagreeable as the pill may be, it must be swallowed by those most immediately concerned. So much for local affairs, and we merely so lightly glance at them, because, as yet, we have not full information respecting them. But, turning away from this portion of the subject, we come to the far more important, though in a great measure equally local, considerations involved in the new Civil Service Regulations. Up to the present time if an officer, no matter how incapable, by influence or interest, could secure the ear and favor of the head of his department, he was safe, and might bid defiance to the world. More than that, "heads of departments " could appoint their friends to the most lucrative berths without say or question, and their privilege in this respect grew to be beyond all reason. By the new code all appointments of more than a certain value (,£2OO per annum) must be made by the Executive, or rather by the Governor without the consent of the Executive, which amounts much to the same thing. Complaints formerly tvere determined on by th c heads of departments ; now, if they are grave enough to be sent to a Minister at all they are considered of sufficient importauce to be decided on by the Cabinet. In future instead of clerks doing the dolce far niente that was characteristic of the- Civil Service of yore, they will be expected to really work and earn at least an apology for a living. The dismay with which these and other regulations of an equally severe character have been received on promulgation, may indeed be better imagined than conceived. Unfortunately the gentlemen affected hold no commissions that are saleable, otherwise large sales would speedily be effected. They will, therefore, either have to grin and bear it, or resign in favor of those who are willing to give "au honest day's work for an honest day's pay." The regulations in question affect the whole of the Colonial Civil Service, from the highest to the lowest, and in this respect afford a striking and favorable contrast to the late recommendations of our County reformers. In the latter's case the meanest servant is made to feel the effect of retrenchment, whilst the retained officers are but lightly touched vii. Tlio rcfoiriua instituted by tho Goneral Government are radical, and all are alike affected. As an example that will be felt near home we may refer to the singularly inappropriate position that has been hitherto assigned to Resident Magistrates for years past. They have been regarded as puism judges almost, and have been as sacredly protected from interference, Not only this, but in Westland particularly they have been loaded with offices and emoluments arising; therefrom to such a degree, that their original appointments have bben, metaphorically speaking, fairly encrusted with the additions. Our local officer doeshardworkwithoutextrapay, or at least without more than he fairly earns ; but at Hokitika Mr G. G. Fitzgerald fulfils, or pretends to fulfil, such a multiplicity of offices all more or less profitable, that would astonish our readers were they aware of them. He is Resident Magistrate, at ,£SOO a year ; Returning Officer, at £25 a year ; Sheriff, at £50 ; Visiting Justice, at ,£SO ; Chairman of Waste Lands Board, at ,£IOO ; and other things of' which we have no knowledge. In addition to this there is a Coroner, who is paid ; there are Wardens who are unnecessary, Though the array of offices would be enough to startle ordinary mortals were they a!)l enumerated, still, the whole work pertaining to them is not more than can easily be got through by one man, without distressing himself, and the extra emoluments are wholly uncalled for. Iv the new Civil Service regulations and the late County Council report, this fact is alike recognised, and it is probable that the old idea of six single gentlemen rolled into one will yet be realised in connection with other officers as well as the one referred to. It is very clear that the desire of both the local and General Governments is to reduce hitherto useless expenditure and organise a hard-working well-paid staff who shall earn salaries that shall be liberal, but who will, on the other hand, be expected to give full value for the money they receive. No one can object to such reorganisation, On our part we can only hope that it wUI be carried out to the uttermost ; if such be the case, the County thoughout will be better and more cheaply served.