THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1862.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 37, 13 March 1862, Page 2

THE HAWKE’S BAY TIMES. NAPIER, THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1862.

Retrenchment and economy in the administrative department of our Provincial Government has been so often advocated in our columns, that we confess that, we should be inclined to let the question rest at this time, hut for the fact that another, and, in all probability, the last session of the present Council is now at its commencement; and hence the necessity is imposed on us of once again directing the attention of the public, and particularly the electors of this province, to this subject. It is, perhaps, unfortunate, in one sense, that the affairs of the General

Government, and especially the Native Question should have so much diverted public attention from matters more immediately within our control, although certainly of no less consequence to us than they are. We arc yet convinced that nothing more is needed than the session of the Council to recall public attention to these matters, and to ex-

cite for them all the interest which they deserve. For about a month past the Superintendent’s Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure for the current year have been before the public, and they have not failed to call forth a certain amount of comment from those who have been unable to conceal their disappointment at finding the necessity for reform altogether ignored, or at best left for the Council to initiate and adopt—a most unpleasant task, as we must admit, for them to perform, yet, as it has been thrown upon their shoulders, we see no help for them but to bear the burthen; and the eyes of the whole Province are directed to them to observe the manner in which they will acquit themselves of the responsibility. For ourselves, we own that our expectations are not very great. Yet, as the Superintendent informed the Council that “ the Government was not pledged to the Estimates in their present shape,” and so gave them to understand that it did not expect their sanction being given to them, there is abundant room for all the necessary reforms to be introduced in Committee. And should not this be done to the satisfaction of the community, there is, at least, one consolation, and that is—the Council, as at present constituted, is fast drawing towards the close of its existence, the re-election of its members will be placed once again in the hands of the constituency and the result of such an ordeal will greatly depend on the votes given by present members mi the important questions now before them.

We have so frequently, and even recently gone into details that we resolve to spare the patience of our readers on this occasion, preferring rather to await the acts of the Council, who are (or should be) as well aware of the necessities of the Province, and the state of public opinion as we are ; merely observing that it is the cost of government, as expended in salaries to officials, that is the great burden now pressing so heavily on the revenue of Hawke's Bay. That the revenues have been wasted or mis-applied in useless or almost useless undertakings is also to he admitted and deplored and there is room to expect that certain members will strain every nerve to carry pet schemes, regardless of waste or extravagance in the application of the Provincial funds ; such as a considerable outlay ou the shingly beach near Clive, liable to be carried away at any moment, would involve. We trust the good sense of the Council as a whole will duly appreciate the folly that would be committed he committed by such a proceeding, and which is clearly shown by the fact that, the Ngaruroro continues to break out in places nearer to the site of the present ferry on each occasion, as if it was resolved to combine with common sense, and pretest against any great outlay for permanent works in that neighborhood.