ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume X, Issue 975, 6 December 1854, Page 3

ORIGIN AL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the "New Zealand Spectator. " Wellington, December 4, 1554.' Siu,— The unblushing effrontery with which the members of the Executive Council (Messrs. Fitzherbert, Fox, and Brandon) with their parasites, exhibited their assumed influence^ at the late election for the Country Districts, which, resulted in the return of the Government Candidate hy an- insignificant majority, calls for -some markedand strong expression of public opinion, so that the mask may be torn from the faces of those, who by their caj6lling and soft words have wormed themselves into power — into possession of the means drawn by taxation from the hard "earnings of the unsuspecting settlers, which it is now apparent to every one they are using mainly to provide snug sinecures .for themselves, their friends, (?) and their supporters. , If the independent members do their duty to their constituents, they will call for such a circumstantial account of the finances of the Province, since the Superintendent came into power, as will, there is little doubt, shew how totally unfit those in office are to be entrusted with the affairs of the Province. Let any one, then, judge what has been done in public.improvements during the last twelve months, since, the patriots! (Heaven save the mark) came into office, and compare it with the amount expended ; it will, I conceive, at once awaken the settlers, from the torpid " state as regards political affaii s into which they have fallen. You may remember, Sir, the violent but pointless attacks which Superintendent, then plain irresponsible Dr. Featherston, indulged in upon his Excellency Sir George Grey, in respect to the expenditure of the public money $ but now, -how silent is fyis organ the Independent on this important branch of his Honor's administration. },<« With regard to the present unnecessary number of Provincial officers. What want we with a mimic prime minister in the person of an irascible Provincial Secretary ! — a Treasurer ! \ —and the staff of Clerks 1 11 attached, or to be attached to these departments ? It is a monstrous system of extravagance which the public ere long it is trusted will sweep, off., _ The act of Parliament" granting a Consiitution to these Inlands, provided for a Superintendent, who is himself "wholly responsible to the public, and this is the Responsible Government which the settlers want, and* will, from the feeling which generally exists only tolerate for the next tea years, At present we have what is termed a "Ministry" (in reality only so many outworks to protect liis Honor's political position) who periodically loolc forward to the opportunities which enable them to display their rabid oratory — to the pleasure of gulling the public — and to the receipt of their " fat" salaries. The pruning knife must be used with rigour, and these suckers must be remoVed, or the parent stem will assuredly decay. I believe, Sir, it is the custqni when a^aew Sovereign ascends the Throne.^that the British.^ Parliament is dissolved, aod^a fresh election takes place ; I presume therefore as " our Constitution" is founded upon that of England, that on the appointment of a new Governor, intelligence of which is now hourly expected, the present General Assembly and Provincial Councils will be dissolved, and a re-election, including that of Superintendents, be proclaimed :—: — and then, but not until then will the public have a fair opportunity of shewing in whom they will again place confidence. 1 am. Sir, Your obedient servant, PUBLICOLA.