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South Canterbury Times, Issue 2397, 22 November 1880, Page 2

If there is one thing more than another upon which New Zealand can pride herself it is her stall: of Inspectors. These superior oilmens are nearly as thick in the colony as insurance agents or commercial travellers. As a rule they are exotics—military exotics. There are exceptions to the rule, but the}* are A*cry rare. They travel like swallows from the decayed branches of the Puitish army, (treat as are our wants the supply is unlimited. They are to be found of all grades, from colonels down to

sergeants and surgeons. With the exception of schools, hospitals, and lunatic asylums there is not a state department winch docs not enjoy the occasional supervision of an old soldier. Witness the Police Department for instance, under Colonel Header, the Treasury, under Major Atkinson, the telegraphs, under Dr Demon, and the prisons, under Captain Hume. If ever a Puitish dependency has been placed on a significant war footing, so far as officers are concerned, it is New Zealand. Wo have warriors everywhere. The armed constables of tin* North Island are a small infliction alongside of the big military drones that flourish in the Civil Service. The service absolutely bristles with superannuated fire-eaters. Seeing that the police, the gaols, the telegraph, and other puldic departments are under military supervision, we would suggest to the Covernment the expediency of raking out from the army refuse of the Mother country a few additional captains or ma jors, or colonels to take charge of the schools and lunatic asylums of the colony. We are passing no reflection on the capacity of Dr Skac or Inspector Habcns, hut we think they should he called upon to give way to a collide of old majors or captains in order that something like uniformity in the public service may be established.