AN INSUBORDINATE AGENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 229, 23 September 1873, Page 2

AN INSUBORDINATE AGENT.

On the receipt some weeks ago of a Parliamentary paper containing the correspondence between the Agent-General and the Colonial Government, we took occasion to remark upon the rather too independent style of. Dr Featherston's letters, and expressed some surprise that he was permitted to write to his employers in such a strain. It appears dow that he I was remonstrated with by the Government for the tone he had adopted, and the antagonistic position to their views he had taken up. Some pressure haa been necessary to compel Ministers to lay on the table of the House the following letter addressed by the Colonial Secretary to Dr Featherston : — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 27th August, 1873. Sib— rl have the honor to inform you that your three letters (No. 375, 11th June, 1873; No. 382, 12th June, 1873; No. 419, 13th June, 1873) have been brought specially under the notice of the Government on account of the very unusual manner' in which they are phrased. 1. Even had the tone you adopted been more courteous, and less insubordinate, the Government would not have considered that they were called upon to defend the instructions they had given to you.' It is from no desire to do so, but simply to enable you to understand the views of the Cabinet ou the su* jf'cr, that I briefly refer to the second and third of the letters mentioned. 2. The instructions to which in these letters you seer!", to refer, and of which, in the latter of the two, you co bitterly complain, appear to be those which prohibited yonr ienewing a contract with Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co. On your arrival iv London you appeared to be fully sensible of the eviis of Messrs Shaw, fcfavill and Co's monopoly (see your letter No. 234, 24th May, 1872). The Government recognised the same evils, and regretted the contract into which you had entered with hose gentlemen. On your applying for

permission to renew it, you were prohibited from doing so, when you telegraphed out the singular appeal, "Don't imperil thousands lives entrusting services inexperienced bands." Still the Government adhered to their determination. They then found that under a system of calling for public tenders, you had agreed to pay Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co. the enormous price of £17 per statute adult. It is true that, pursuing their usual policy, Messrs Shaw, Savill, and Co, on the advent ol ? the New Zealand Shipping Company, reduced their rates and induced you to agree to four more ships. But this did not render it less necessary to break down Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co's monopoly. The Government saw that, in the interest of the colony, the monopoly must be put an end to; and in order to do so, they, with great reluctance, entered into an arrangement which gave for six months a monopoly to the local company. The Government do not regret the cost of upsetting Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co.'a monopoly; they only regret that the task was left to them, instead of being performed by you. Had you arranged privately through respectable brokers for each ship you required, the Government think you might have employed Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co only to the extent you considered desirable, and that you might have escaped their exorbitant demands, 3. I take the opportunity of observing tbaf, commencing as you did with unfettered powers, the Government have only interfered with, acid specially instructed you, as they found the exigencies of the service required. The irregular manner in which you have conducted your correspondence has occasioned much inconvenience and anxiety on this side. 4. The Government are aware that you have suffered from serious illness; and they recognise the devotion with which, in spite of it, you showed your desire to continue to discharge the duties of yonr office. Much of the irregularity of your correspondence is no doubt attributable to this cause, and the Government desire also to attribute to it the discourteous letlers under consideration. I have to remind you of the cordial terms which should exist between an officer holding so high a position as yourself and the Government, and to request you to conduct your correspondence in future in a more becoming manner. Ministers expect that you will endeavor to give effect to their wishes; and that you will do so, not hi a carping spirit, but with a desire to promote their views to the utmost. If you consider it would be disadvantageous to carry out any instructions you receive, you should at once telegraph your reasons, and ask for fresh instructions; but as a rule you should consider that it is meant you should follow the iustructions sent you. The Government desire that, whether or not the New Zealand Parliament is about to meet, you ehould regard it as your duty to reply monthly to all communications you receive from them, as well as to forward any inJormation at your disposal which you may consider likely to be of ioterest to the colony. Daniel Pollen. For remainder of news see fourth page.

accelerate its operation by clearing away all obstruction, and giving tone to the system generally. The prophylactic virtues of Holloway'a remedies stand unrivalled. 2406

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