THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 1874

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1960, 17 November 1874, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED D A ILY. TUESDA Y, NO VEMBER 17 1874

Although hardly any language would be toe strong to characterise properly the conduct of the Provincial Secretary of Nelson towards public officers, what shall be said of that of the elected head of the Province — the Superintendent — who allows himself to be made use of as the mere tool of an Executive, which not only does not possess his confidence, but with whose proceedings he has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction ? It is difficult to understand Mr Curtia in the various matters which have recently called forth public comment — and we may add general condemnation. He is p ; t u er in fact, as he is in his formal oifical proceedings, a powerless dummy in the hands of his " advisers" (save the mark !), or he is purposely doing hie utmost to bring the existing system of administration into utter contempt. We are inclined to think that the latter explanation is the true one, and if it is we can only say that the Superintendent of Nelson is giving effect to his wishes in a most successful manner. But not exactly as he imagines — or as we suppose he imagines. It is one thing to a=!"iine the very impossible position he li> ■ !ected to take in order to throw all ti.e ilium of maladministration uponhif responsible advisers, but it is quite anothei thing that he should abandon his propei functions as the elected head of the Provincial Government, and by so doing make himself in some sense responsible for every act performed by that Government. For it is impossible for Mr Curtis to shake off every vestige of responsibility as he appears to desire to do. He occupies as Superintendent a post far above those who by the political events of the day ; may be thrust into positions which, they cannot properly discharge. If Mr Curtis were a mere nominated officer — simply a recording machine of the decisions of the three or four incompetents whom accident has placed in the Executive Council, we could understand the possibility of his having to give effect reluctantly to decisions which, in his own opinion, were unjust or unwise. But for a person who, as he is, is elected by the general constituency of the whole Province to preside over its affairs, his action is cowardly and contemptible. Two glaring instances have been afforded in which Mr Curtis, whilst holding confessedly strong opinions | contrary to those of his Executive, has allowed himself to be the instrument of both injustice and folly. Mr Whitefoord's unwarranted dismissal was made none the better by Mr Curtis disowning any responsibility in the matter, and the case of Mr Hodgson is infinitely worse. Mr Hodgson, dismissal was accompanied by circumstances of peculiar injustice, and yet the only protest made by the head of the Province against this crnel act of official tyranny was indirect ly afforded by a private letter to that gentleman expressing not only a very high opinion of Mr Hodgson's ability and general efficiency, but a Btrong sympathy with him under the unjdst treatment he had received. If Mr Curtis had the slightest idea of hia due responsibility, he would have done one of twe things. He would either have refused to be a party to the unjust act he was called upon to endorse, or he would have dismissed his Executive and called the Provincial Council together imme- • diately. Or a third course was open to him — to resign a post the dignities and duties of which Ue so utterly fails to realise. We regret to use this language with regard to a gentleman who has, for so many years, occupied honorably a high position in the administration of public affairs, and who, but for want of sufficient firmness of character and courage of mind, possesses in a remarkable degree the capacity for administration. But the truth must be told, however unpalatable it may be, and unless Mr Curtis Bhould be taught, by recent experience, that he wa 8

not elected to bo a mere recording officer and act accordingly, the constituency of the Province of Nelson would be thoroughly justified in calling upon him to resign. We would hope that by this time the Superintendent has seen the absurdity and impracticable nature of the position he has assumed in his dealings with his Executive, and will adopt some more dignified and constitutional course. We would counsel him at once to convene the Council together, and let that body decide between him and those with whom it is evident he can usver hold cordial xelationa.