THE HAWKE'S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, NOV. 21, 1861.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 21, 21 November 1861, Page 3

THE HAWKE'S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, NOV. 21, 1861.

The result of the election fur the Town of Napier, which took place on Saturday last, has been to strengthen the hands of the Government, so we judge from the tenor of the addresses given by the successful candidates. Me may, therefore, rest satisfied that no vigor-

attempt, at a reformation of existing abuses Avill he at present ramie. Mr. TripVi.'uld he willing to vote for the reduction of the Superintendent's salary to A4OO, and to save a small item from the cost of the Executive, and also from the payments made to countly members ; hut as a whole he informs us—“ Generally he did not see how salaries could he reduced, or how the number of offices could be diminished/’ We confess we are sorry for this, as our readers may well suppose, because it is primarily here that we ought to look for the reduction of the expenses of the Government. Our readers are aware that from the first we have taken this ground—that it is from this reason we have always opposed the sitting in Council of paid officers of the Government, as we consider all such of necessity influenced to support the Government from which they receive a pecuniary benefit in its extravagant use of the public funds. Our principal objection to the return of Mr. Coleuso has been this, that he holds a paid office, and is so far interested in upholding a “ right. royal'’ expenditure of the Provincial funds. We do not ignore the several occasions on which he has taken a stand pro bano publico, his opposition to the establishment of the Native Hostelry and to the encroachments of the S'.juatocracy, as has often occurred in the Council, and possibly lie might not have been rejected on the occasion of a former election, hut from the fact of his being an office holder.

When we remember the promises made to the electors of “ cheap Government” at the birth of the Province of Hawke's Bay, and for an instant compare it with the actual cost as at present,—when we reflect on the simplicity of the machinery which was to

have been adopted, and compare it with its existing complexity and multiplicity of oliices ami officials which have been gradually in(reduced, —when, likewise, we consider the falling oif of the revenue derivable from land sales, and the comparatively small revenue it promises for the future, we must own we are surprised that Mr, Triphook cannot see how any great reduction can he made in this branch of our expenditure—especially as he, with ourselves, is aware of the opposite course that should he taken in regard to the necessary public works. On other points it will he observed that Mr. Triphook agrees with the views we have uniformly taken in our columns in the necessity of opening up the country to agricultural population, the encouragement that should be given to the class of small farmers, and the developing the resources of the Province by facilitating communication with the outlying districts, and the conveyance of timber and other valuable commodities to the port, so as to retain among ourselves as great a proportion as possible of the large sums annually expended for these things at a distance. Once, again, with regard to the reduction of oliices ami salaries, it does appear to us that this is the (rue quarter in which we are to look for retrechment, as it is in fact the only one where it is practicable, and it is only just to the Province that it should be so. It must be remembered that these oJiices were gradually created by the late Superintendent as the Province appeared to be progressing, from the fact of the extensive land sales which filled the exchequer for a time giving a temporary prosperity and plausible excuse. Put as this state of things has not continued—as indeed it could not, and as it is not probable nor scarcely possible it can occur again, the only excuse for the creation of these offices which could then be given does not now exist. Ileason cries —abolish them, and let us have a Government as simple and inexpensive as possible, —as near in fact to that which we were promised as circumstances will permit. Before we quit Mr. Triphook, we would endeavor to correct a mis-inipressiou under which lie appears to labor in respect of the opinions of a largo body of the electors concerning the Harbor Improvements. Few, if any, will be found to dispute the desirability of improving the harbor, or of reclaiming the extensive shallow between the Eastern Spit and Seiiide Island : —whether self-sup-porting or requiring some aid from the' Provincial chest, it must be admitted to be desirable to add so extensive urea to the building land of Napier in the neighbourhood of the shipping, it is not tins that is so generally opposed, it is the canal : —the canal which would be a work of so great time and cost, winch would obstruct land communication between two important districts of the town, find which it is so desirable to obtain. This is ( if we understand the question aright) the tiling opposed—the canal, which, while it is objectionable on so many points, has so little to recommend it that the wonder would, rather be if if was not opposed.