GOVERNMENT “HONORS.”

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 154, 23 January 1869, Page 4

GOVERNMENT “HONORS.”

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Sib, —Whilst looking over the week’s budget ©f general and local news, I was rather amused to observe the effort you had made to gild the bitter pill when speaking of the two appointments recently conferred upon Dr. Williams and myself—the one remunerative, and the other honorary. And whilst upon this subject, I should like to give your readers an insight into the merits of the case. To begin', then, I for many years held an appointment as Vaccinator, &c., commencing under the superintendency of Mr. Carter. When Mr. Eyes came into power, I received a letter requesting me to call at the temporary offices, now used as Mr. Nelson’s chambers. On arriving there, Mr. Eyes and his satellite informed me that they thought it only fair to divide the district on account of two medical men being here. I tpld them that I was appointed for a certain period, and should assuredly claim my salary from the Government, and that if their theory was tenable, and a dozen doctors came into the place that they would be obliged to subdivide until they reduced it to homoeopathic doses. I was then allowed to continue in undisturbed possession until the lapse oi

the financial srear,5 r ear, when an interval of some six months passed, and Dr. Williams and myself were invited to tender for one years’ work. This farce having been completed, I found myself ousted, insulted dignity avenged, and everything all right. So affairs have jogged on, no Vaccinator having been appointed for some months, when, in the face of all their previous arguments, the Government quietly appointed Dr. Williams, without any competition, and as a sop to myself, gave me the honorary appointment of Healtli Officer, which, as a saving of paper, I will, if you will allow me, thus publicly refuse, and advise Mr. Eyes to keep for himself. I may, perhaps, be permitted to add that whilst holding the office, I never once neglected an advertised appointment, neither at any time was any complaint made against me. It, therefore, cannot be said that I was removed upon public grounds ; and I can only regret that any should be found capable of using their public positiou as a means of wreaking a private vengeance. Trusting that the rarity of my intrusions will be an apology for this trespass upon your space, I am, &c., Lewis K. Horne, Blenheim, Jan. 16, 1860. Surgeon.