To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, August 2nd, 1853.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IX, Issue 835, 3 August 1853, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Wellington, August 2nd, 1853.

Siß,~Tliere has been a great deal said and written in reference to the amount of salary our Superintendent should receive for his services, and as there is reason to believe that an extravagant salary is in contemplation. for him by his supporters, I intend, with your permission, to make a few remarks upon this important subject. My humble and honest opinion, then, made after most careful consideration, and throwing all personal feeling aside', is, that it will be quite' soon enough to fix a suitable salary for his Honor for bis labours, when there has been lull opportunity of judging of the value of his services. If however, it is to be voted immediately after the assembling of the Councils, I would suggest that the salary, considering all circum--stances, should not exceed £500) for now-a-days men seem to be " Ambitious of preferment for its gold." I should have recommended, and there are many of my fellow-townsmen- who 'would con- , sider it by far the best plan, no salary whatever ; but as there are no individuals "here' (as is the case in England) who can afford to spend their 'lime, and devote the requisite attention, on behalf of public affairs, for nothing, I can only advise - the salary to be en a moderate scale* A large salary to a public character ought not to be expected in a small" community like this, arid often ' has a pernicious effect, fiz., that of making the receiver of it totally indifferent about a 'true performance of those duties for which -his 'salary was given » I shall always protest against - public men ■ being paid too extravagantly! lam not one who would wish a man to toil hard for nothing— for a man ahould : "always be paid liberally whenever tt^ - is proved that his conduct is deserving of it. f have no dislike .to Dr. Featherston, and as little • do I know what peculiar qualifications he pos- - sesses for the office to which he has been elected. " Charms he may have, but be has frailties too." Time will shew whether be is all the Faction have represented him to be. However, as 'webave now got a Superintendent, let us not be like the man whoj-wfren be had got the elephant, did'nt know what to do with him. Oar elephant ([ doubt whether in this case the term is very \ applicable) must work. - ' I sincerely" trust that our Councils will not be • wholly composed from that now seeraingly-d«- - ranged, and wandering class "of animals — the Constitutional Asses— which has recently -gained - such an unenviable notoriety. I am afraid if this class has much to do with public concerns , our Constitution ' will be frightfully mutilated, and that it will prove a corse to New Zealand instead of a blessing. I would suggest, in conclusion," that a pledge, limiting the Superintendent's salary to a moderate. •up, should be taken by, all the candidates, and '"■-• that all who will not vot« for that sum should, be. unsupported by the electors. . I remain, Sh,'Your obedient Servant. economist:'.