THE GREY VALLEY WARDEN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 147, 22 June 1874, Page 2

THE GREY VALLEY WARDEN.

The G. R. Argus, which may be looked upon as a reliable exponent of public feeling in the Grey Valley district, writes very strongly on the question of reducing the number of Wardens at the West Coast. Our contemporary says:— The agitation in the Grey Valley against the 'proposed removal of the Warden and Resident Magistrate of the Grey Valley district is extending, and will be taken up in every mining centre in the district. Io continuation of the remarks we made on this subject a few days ago, there is another matter to which we wish specially to refer. The statement of Mr O'Conor that the agitation was fomented by a few individuals he is no doubt by this time convinced was incorrect. A few persons at Ahaura could not influence the whole of the residents of Half-Ounce, Nelson Creek, Moonlight Creek, and the other districts, and stimulute them to take the almost simultaneous action they have on the question of the abolition of the Warden's office. Every individual in the community feels that he would have a personal grievance if such a sweeping alteration were carried into effect, and the proposal to amalgamate the districts of thelnangahua aud Grey Valley under one Warden would be very little less objectionable. Unifications of tbis sort have been tried repeatedly, and have always been egregious failures when tho plan came to be examined from an economical point of view. In this particular cose there would not only not be a saving iv the public expenditure, but there would be a direct increase in the cost of administering justice, while the indirect loss to the public in the difficulties and delays in obtaining a settlement of disputes could hardly be estimated. The increased allowance for travelling expenses, forage, &c, to the Warden who would have charge of tbe two already extensive districts, would go far to make up the salary of the officer dispensed witb, while tbe waste of efficiency entailed upon the public by having the Warden flying on horseback about the . country like a Camanche Indian, or ' like Mr O'Conor when be jb in his " element," would be all but incalculable. A Warden or Magistrate on horseback is about the least useful article in the category of material Bubstance, for wben in that position he is not performing any of tha functions for which he is intended. Therefore the more time he is compelled to spend as an equestrian, accomplished and ornamental as he may be as such, the less time he has to devote to the duties proper to hia official position. And in proportion to the obstacles thrown in the way of a proper performance ol these duties, so in the same ratio the public suffers by being deprived of the advantages of an exercise ot the abilities of a public servant of this class, and no monetary consideration can be set down as a fair equivalent for the public iojury inflicted. The Executive Counoil may consider that a reduction in the salaries of. the Wardens. would be infra dig., not only as regards those officers themselves, but having in view the good name of the province. It has very lately come to the turn of, some oi the Nelson provincial magnatesto have Buch a tender regard for the honor of the province. Instead of talking so glibly and contemptuously about '*• cheap justice," it would be as well to consider that "cheapness" is altogether a relfttive attribute, and must be regarded entirely by the light of circumstances, A salary that would be" considered barely adequate to support the social staoding Magistrates would be expected to assume ten years ago would be a liberal etipend now, for the expense ol maintaining even an important official position is very materially lessened. Governors of colonies and even Judges of Supreme Courts have consented to, and in some instances have proposed diminutions in their own remuneration, when it was shown the revenues required such reduction, and their own circumstances warranted their acceptance of the diminished allowance. It is consequently no disgrace to the province that its responsible officers should be requested to accept smaller payments, and it will not be imposing any indignity on these officials if they consent to undertake the duties they now so efficiently perform for the lowered remuneration, seeing tbat the altered I circumstances of the province make it necessary tbat sacrifices must be made. The principle of unification of offices, and conservation of salaries in reducing expenditure, is a good one in general, but it is impracticable in the present instance, and will only lead to public dissatisfaction. If it be absolutely necessary to economise, let the Government offer the Wardens reduced salaries, and let the saving be effected on the same principal all round, so long as the efficiency of ihe public service is not impaired. However, the expression of opinion just given in the Grey Valley should convince the Government that it would be unwise "to set up its back " against the wishes of the people in this matter; and it is not because Mr O'Conor may deprecate what he calls "agitation" (and nobody knows the value of agitation better than himself) the movement will not be allowed to rest at its present stage, for the importance of the district requires that attention should be paid to tbe unanimously expressed desiro of its inhabitants, and if the Provincial Executive should persist in carrying out its intention, or, to put it plainly, " running

its head against the wall" of public opinion, the people wiil seek relief elsewhere.