THE WELLINGTON DEBT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 661, 4 March 1869, Page 2

THE WELLINGTON DEBT.

(Communicated.) We noticed in our columns some time ago the appointment by Doctor Feathereton of a Commissioner on behalf of the Province of Wellington to settle, in conjunction with one to be appointed by the Superintendent of this Province, the amount fairly chargeable against Hawke's Bay on account of what has for so many years been known as the "Wellington Debt." We believe that tlie statute under which, this appointment has been made, was introduced, by Mr Stafford's Government last session, at the instance of the Hawke's Bay membars, who had been urged to take action in the matter by the/ Provincial Council. The Ministry readily complied Avith their request, although the line of conduct they had adopted during (.he session scarcely entitled their applications to much consideration. In halcyon times, and whilst the wind blew fair, the faithfullest among the faithful found, must be reckoned the representatives of Hawke's Bay. Whether desire to curry favor with a new Ministry, disappointment in an anging satisfactorily another little job, or a latent hope of making terms with the opposition leader, was the leading motive of "our members" so suddenly ratting, we will probably never for a certainty know. They must, however, find ample consolation in their trials and reverses, by the remembrance that, when a new edition of " Fox's Martyrs" appears, they will occupy a distinguished page, with highly colored illustrations of their self-im-molation. Returning, however, to the thread of our subject, we are aware that the Ministry carefully nursed through the Assembly the Act by which some settlement might be effected of the matters in d spute between Wellington and us. At length it was passed, and the Governor's assent given; and, Wellington having named her Commissioner, to ordinary observers every obstacle to investigation, at least, of the claim seemed

removed. Such a hope, however, ! appears premature. Mr M'Lean, so far as anything is yet publicly known, has failed to appoint one for Hawke's Bay. It may not be impossible to stretch the time allowed for his doing so, but certainly the four months named in the Act for this purpose have elapsed without notification of his exercise of the powers it confers. "We are conscious that the apathy or incapacity of our Provincial authorities long since let slip the opportu nity when any appreciable good could have followed inquiry into this matter. Some five or six years ago, when it might really have been useful, an attempt was made; but with that lack of earnestness always manifest unless personal interests are involved, nothing came of our local magnates' efforts. The act passed for the purpose by our Provincial Council about that time remained a dead letter. Commissioners, indeed, were appointed under it, viz , Mr M'Lean, Mr Ormond, and—will our readers- believe it I ?— Major Whit more! whose conjunction in such a triad now appears marvellous. But the adulation and worship then lavished on him were as extreme as is the foul abuse now poured upon him by the organ of our authorities. Probably both have been to order, for we are thoroughly conscious that the journal in which each style of writing has appeared, has faith and credence alone in that which pays.