COLONIAL CIRCUMLOCUTION.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 102, 15 February 1868, Page 7

COLONIAL CIRCUMLOCUTION.

It would appear that Mr. Stafford’s government considers it necessary to make enormously cumbrous rules, on the principle one would think that “ all men are thieves.” Returns of a most numerous and voluminous nature are made up daily, weekly, and monthly in all the public offices in the colony, and it has occurred that urgent documents, as for instance to keep a debtor from running away, have been refused to legal practitioners some hours before the time of the offices closing, because the accounts of the receipts had been made up for that day and the money banked, and they could not do any more business involving money transactions. This, or a similar reason—and it was stated to us as we give it—was given for the refusal of an application for an urgent warrant. Then a series of the harshest and most despotic rules are made for the working of all the government offices, the employees of which cannot stir a foot or call their souls their own. They are set to watch each other like Irish spies, and are treated as regards their services and their dealings with money as if there were no such thing as honor or honesty among them. If moneys are to be dealt with in this strict manner to the delay of important business connected with public convenience and justice, and the multiplication of work and consequently of officers, where is the use of securities in offices of trust, or is there no trust ?, Again, it would appear as if some captain of some Volunteer company in some of the provinees had failed properly to disburse the money allotted to his squad; at least, so we suppose from the sequel, for the Volunteers here were lately informed that henceforth the moneys due to the companies for uniforms, &c., would be paid to the tailors direct, instead of passing through their hands as hitherto ; while the curious fact is, that the Government are much in arrear with some of the Volunteer allowances, and already a considerable portion of the clothing expenses have been paid by the Volunteers themselves out of their own pockets, and in anticipation of these allowances. Legitimate watchfulness is a very necessary thing; but surely, where properly vouched accounts can be demanded, and future payments can be made contingent on their production, it does seem extreme to treat officers and men of social standing in such a manner. . If saving tvere the object, why not strike off a good deal of expenditure in the shape of salary to officers whose position is and ought to be purely honorary ? —ColonisL

[The following appeared in an Extra issued 'on Monday, last.]

The Nelson papers confirm the news of the Tarndale murder and suicide, and state that Ivanoe Augarde, after shooting German Charlie, blew off the top of his own head. The clipper ship City of Melbourne was burnt to the water’s edge, at Melbourne, on the 2Cth inst., with 3,256 bales of wool on board* besides leather, tallow, &c. Pelouuh Election. —A correspondent informs us that Mr. Geo. E. Levien is to be opposed at the forthcoming election, by Robert Smith, Esq., who resides at Kenneparu, and owner of the Skiddaw Run, Pelorus Sound, who is strongly supported. News arrived in Wellington on Friday last, that the Star of Tasmania was ashore at Oamaru, and the Tiraaru (2,000 tons) in a like condition at Timaru. Both vessels had nearly completed their loading of wool.

The Auckland Executive still remain in office, notwithstanding the adverse vote recently passed. The estimates for the year 1868, have been laid before the Council, the revenue is estimated at £36,028, and the expenditure for the half-year ending June next £15,551. The anniversary of the province was kept up on the 29th ult., when the games were attended by 4,000 persons. The Independent says : —- It would appear, from the mode in which the estimates are drawn up, that the Provincial Executive desire to keep the province floating, if possible, until the General Assembly meets, and if this object can be effected, much advantage will be gained; since not only will the General Government be thereby prevented from meddling with provincial affairs, but Auckland may, in the meanwhile, partially, or even wholly, recover from her present depression, and if it should be found necessary to ask the assistance of the General Assembly, it could be done with a much better grace than under present circumstances.