THE PROJECTED CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 107, 8 May 1877, Page 4

THE PROJECTED CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

(Lyttelton Times.)

The great principles established are r — confinement on the premises, a quasi official lunch, ahd the prohibition of smoking. We anticipate the most beneficial consequences. Imprisonment and regular diet tame the wildest animals, and there is no reason why they should lose their effect when applied to the civil servants. The whole thing at Wellington can be done with ease and .at little expense. A few extra doorkeepers at the great official Bastile there can' turn back any erratic officers who are not furnished wiih a ticket of - leave, and there iB ample room for a refectionery. Of course an economical' Government in these times cannot pro-: vide lunches at public cost, but we understand that they will appropriate! £200 ai an outfit for the necessary establishment. There may be a little hitch about the licensing law, bat that; can be easily got over by a retrospective' Act next session. The chief difficulty; will be to apply these rules fo all pub-: lie offices outside tbe seat of Government ; but as all public administration! -through the colony is being rapidly concentrated at Wellington, lhat defect will every day become less. To ther general prohibition of smoking no one; can reasonably object; but we were not aware that the practice had been! previously allowed, except in the case _-qf very, ; high officials, such as Under, .Secretaries, and the cloud-compelling: Controller of Pubiic Accounts, wbodej wear and tear of require the! soothing fumes of the sublime tobacco.; On the whole we are confident that the^ general-bearing of these regulations, ,if : duly.,. carried into effect, will be toj /minimise the inordinate number of civil servants, and to maximise the> efficiency of the faithful few who; remain. Only the strongest can sur-l -ire this process of artificial selection. Another advantage will be the great < discouragement of candidates for public _ employment, and the relief of Mini.-' ters from publio patronage. We would respectfully suggest to Mr Charles Bowen, who, as Minister of Justice, is expert in prison regulations, some ' further aids ih this direction. A cheap distinctive uniforda — dnly branded with: the broad arrow and lettered C.S. would be useful. As an encouragement' to local industry it might be made of • cloih manufactured at Nelson or Mosgiel. Classification by marks could also be advantageously introduced as a .reward of good conduct — the highest Dumber to give a right to special indulgence in a free lunch or an additional gli.es of beer— perhaps in cases of extraordinary merit a smoke ia the coal hole, or some convenient outhouse. "Atlas," writing to the World, says lam grieved to discover that I have been weariog unfashionable nightshirts. As many of my friends have probably .been doing the same, I venture to quote tbe following from tbe current number j of Myra'e Journal "Embroidered shirt fronts are not fashionable as formerly for \ evening wear. When used at all, only tbe merest line of of needlework is Been. More fancifully embroidered fronts are ' used on night shirts. Theae are made wiih deeply turned-over collars, a white linen cord and tassel around the neck, and a breast-pocket, on which the initial or monogram is wrought. Olhgr mgbtshiits have a narrow ruffle of striped : percale on the front, and a cord or line of color on the collar and cuffs." I am: sure my male readers will feel "grateful; J for this information, though they will!] probably wonder, as I do, how .Misslj Myra managed to pick up such elaborate .j information upon so difficult a Bubjecf. N.A gentleman who was present at I Ross on tbe election day, describes to the West Coast Times the scenes which: look place in Ihe evening as of tbenwst. exciting kind. Free fights took place | in two or three houses, and a few of jibe more peaceably disposed electors ; who have never been known to exert themselves over election matters before were to be seen engaged in promfscuous games of fisticuffs. One of the coach- j •/drivers in driving from Woodstock to • Rose, after the declaration of the poll I hud to draw up twice in order to nllow I time and space for a couple of his passengers to settle their differences on the highway. At Woodstock two or three of M'Galfiu's supporters were very demonstrative as tbe afternoon progressed and a white *' bell topper " t.om town became an election eyesorr, which ihe wearer deemed prudent t o have removed before the returns of the poll

were declared. No disturbance, however, of any consequence took/place at any of the polling places throughout the district. At a recent meeting of the Bruce County Council, a discussion.arose as to' the design for tbe County seal. One; member suggested it.shoald consist of! "acock crowing oh its own dunghill." An amusing printer's error appears in the programme of a musical entertainment to come off at Rsefton. A lady singer ia set down for a song, which the printer has entitled— "Relieve me of all those endearing Young Charms." Speaking at Woodstock, the Hon W. ; Gisborne, thus referred to the finances bf the colony:—" I do not think we have borrowed too much money. - fori reproductive works, but there bas been ; too much waste and extravagance in unproductive directions. Reform is necessary in the adjustment of burdens; the ad valorem system is wrong, un-; scrupulous traders may, profit . at -the; expense of the just; it opens the doorj to fraud, which may be the cause of the; diminution in the returns of the present! year. ; ; We are' slipping deeper into; debt down the slippery slope? of "'Treav tury Bills. These may .'ba, 1 _s'e7tjrtHo: adjust revenue for ode, tjrvou ..of three years, but. when they increase/, tPithe ; amount of one milliooTeferlibgx it Way be disastrous tar 'our interests^ Bor-. rowing ih the dark is damaging, better! at once go toiibe London money market 1 and state plainly what we owe, taw much more we require, 1 and whatsecur-i ity we can offer for the loan. I have parodied a few lilies of Chaholtig's to express my meaning--. -, ; -, ! ' Give me an open loan, my debt I know;; If I can meet, and pay what'er-I owe. j But of all plagues, and all financial. ilia,; Save, save,' oh save me r from >thp_e Treasury Bills.