PROFESSION AND PRACTICE.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 23, 9 June 1860, Page 2

PROFESSION AND PRACTICE.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Press.. Sik —It would seem incredible, were not its truth established by the records of tSe Provincial Council of Marlborough, and other unquestionable authority, that tlio men who so lustily railed a few months ago only against the extravagance of the Nelson Government, and who so loudly trumpeted forth what their own patriotism and economy would be if their fellow-settlers would only join them in obtaining separation, now that separation is obtained, have trampled their have actually voted out of the first year’s revenue former vaunting professions under foot, and to Mr. Adams, the leading patriot .and economist, of this small province, not much short of Two Thousand Pounds!!! ' This is perfectly astounding! And who are> they that gorge the public spirited gentleman. to such an extent ? Why, himself, and his compatriots, Messrs. Ward, Baillie, Godfrey, Seymour, and Goulter, who unite in resolving that Mr. Adams shall hold all the following appointments, and opposite which they have voted the respective sums, viz:—

umi— matin'.mji*rxf*s****wr*z Superintendent .(13 months and 3£ £ s. d. weeks) at per annum £SOO . • 577 L (* Provincial Solicitor, (ditto ditto), at per annum £2OO . . *- , 231 o 0 Provincial Secretary; (ditto ditto), at per annum £IOO . ” Commissioner of Crown Lands from Nov. 1, 1859, to June 30, 1800, at per annum £4OO . Actually voted on Saturday . £1590 13 4 And on the Estimates, hut not yet discussed — •, ... Separation Expenses ■. . £IOO Expenses of attending settlement of Trustees and Provincial Account . . 300 £4OO The share of which that will probably go into Mr. Adams’s pocket may be estimated at . . . • 250 0 0 Total . . £IB4O 13 4 It is true that Mr. Adams’s modesty would not permit him to he present when his friends Were to vote to him the above enormous sums ; also, that Mr. Goulter was in the chair, and was not required to exercise his casting vote. But none need imagine that Mr. Adams and Mr. Goulter, the leaders of their party, did not in the Estimates, as in all other former subjects, settle and arrange beforehand every point of procedure with their friends, Messrs. Ward, Godfrey, Seymour, and. Baillie. And' while probably the most talented man in New Zealand Only got £3OO last tyear for. the whole of his time (and being both Provincial Secretary and Commissioner of Crown Lands) from Nelson, when this province was still a part of it, and when the Nelson revenues were four times larger than that of Marlborough, ought Mr. Adams to get £SOO for the fragments of his time, that his.conscience even might not consider to be otherwise already paid for in the £7OO voted to him as Superintendent and Solicitor. I am afraid, Mr. Editor that it must be confessed that those were the clearer sighted who stood aloof from Mr. Adams and his party during the separation movement, though they got soundly abused for doing so, and because they expressed less confidence in the sincerity of “patriotism,” “ public spirit,” and “public gain,” cries of the separation leaders, than in their masked intentions to obtain the loaves and fishes, which they are barefacedly doing now, with a vengeance. But, sir, should this province now submit to it’ No! And I say, let Separation have fair play, and not be strangled I, Let every separationist and true-spirited man meet and indignantly denounce the attempt now in hand. Meetings should be held in every district. Already these gentlemen are quailing before the indingation ofthe people of Blenheim, who would have called a public meeting but for the unfortunate state of the weather, If Mr. Adams cannot do with £3OO, or at most £4OO a year, separation and economyneed neither be divorced nor murdered, as there are surely others yet in the separation ranks capable of conducting the affairs of this small province in an ordinary manner, though they may lack the transcendont abilities of Mr. Adams. I am, &c., A Separation Dupe. Lower Wairau, June 4.