THIS IS THE WAY THE MONEY GOES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 120, 20 May 1873, Page 2

THIS IS THE WAY THE MONEY GOES.

To THE IDITOE OP THE NfiLSON EVENING- MAIL. Sir—As the Evening Mail is in fact now the only free and independent journal in this city, I trust you will insert a few observations I have to make on that remarkable document published in your issue on Friilay last, at the instance of a ** Taxpayer," I mean " The Statement of Expenses incurred in obtaining signatures to the Anti-Separation Petition," attested by "Alfred Greenfield, Provincial Secretary," and which little account was so unwillingly laid before the Council for their informa-tion-and delectation. Now Ido not blame the Executive, if they deemed it proper for the good of tbe province that such a petition should be got up to prevent the dismemberment of. the province; but I most certainly demur as to this method of procedure. It appears it was taken from funds termed " Miscellaneous," and placed by Council for disposal by the Executive for any contingency that may arise during the recess, and being spent there tbe matter rests; as far as the Council is concerned they havo no further say in the matlev — as the saying is they must " grin and bear it." The other newspapers have followed suit and inserted the document without any comments. • The first question of inquiry ought to be —of whom was the Executive composed and who was the active principal in the getting up of the Bcheme, so that the West Coast members and electors may be acquainted with their friends who employed i\ portion of tbeig|neral funds of the proviuce to procure petitions to thwart their plans and wishes, be lhey right or wrong? When the General Government recouped Mr Luckie the £6 odd shillings for his travelling expenses when -Mr Vogel sent him to see the land and report on the same as being selected and suitable for immigration purposes, the opposition papers raised a very storm of virtuous indignation, yet this large amount passes even without honorable mention. Mr Luckie is not now amongst us or we should not bo without some passing remarks from his incisive steel pen —now a goose quil his gall turned to milk. As many of your country subscribers may not have seen or paid attention to tho document, it is worth reading twice ; here is the little bill: — Statement of Expenses incurred in obtaining Signatures to Anti-Separation Petition.

(Signed) A. Gbeenfield, May 12, 1873. Provincial Secretary. 1273 1. Ifc suggests the following queries : — Which of these collectors of autographs conld not wait for the ordinary conveyance, but must hire a "tJap" express from Mr Newton ? 2. A greater portion was paid. to men employed in the Government service; might not they have been "requested" to lend their aid free of expense ? 3. The sum of one recipient is £6 Is 86". Why 8d ? Either this is 4d too little, as the tariff by the Executive was ls per name, or he had his on 8 proverbial Tailors —but then 9 make a man.. 4. It was not beneath a then but newlymade member of "the Council itself to Make tbis valuable Petition under his charge—forsaking family and home at the call of public duty (may he be rewarded as a second -'Mackay"); he certainly appears to haye made no charge —so the -'travelling expenses £17 55." and "passage £4 155." are undoubtedly cheap. 5. In short a glance at the list of recipients is sufficient to. guarantee tbat all is correct. In conclusion, Mr Curtis, at the last great meeting at Provincial Hall, stated that this province was a most thriving place, and there requires no further proof to the -'outer barbarians" when they read of tbe liberality so bounteously bestowed by our paternal governors. Yours, &c„ John 8011, Shephard's Bush, Waimea East.

£ s. d. T. Newton, trap-hire .. 130 0 W. N. Franklin, Inangahua ...10 0 0 F Courtnay, Inangahua ... 20 0 0 T. E. Chichester, Buller ... 18 0 0 v W. White, Waimea South ... 17 12* 0 J. T. Mackay, Waimea East ...17 1 0 J. G. Knyvett, Motueka Valley ... 4 9 0 A. Kibble, Kelson 3 3 0 G. P. Martin, Stoke 4 0 0 E. Sraallbone, Nelson 6 18 P. Blundell, Waimea West ... 7 15 0 W. White, Wairrea South .. 10 17 0 T. C. Batchelor, Wakapuaka ... 3 0 0 W. GibliD, Motueka and Districts 14 10 0 J. Cann, Golden Bay 15 2.0 T. Anslow, Buller 8 17 0 R.-Burn, travelling expenses ... 17 5 0 Edwards & Co , one passage ... 415 0 Grand Total ... £183 17 8 /