MR GEORGE THORNE, JUN., AND THE GOVERNMENT.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 51, 24 May 1884, Page 6

MR GEORGE THORNE, JUN., AND THE GOVERNMENT.

Wellington, Fiiday. Mr Thorne, late of the (government Insurance Department, has retained Mr Edward Shaw in his action claiming £5,000 damages against the Government for breach of contract. Messrs Buckley, Staiford, and Fitzherbert and Mr 11. Stout have been retained for the defence.

Wkllinuton, May IG. The "Post" says: — "It Is now known that the Cabinet has approved of the action cf the Commissioner of insurance in determining to dispense with the services of Mr Geo. Thorne, jun., and that the agreement, entered into la&t year by which that gentleman became Superintendent ot Agentshasbeen cancelled. MrThorne's connection with the Department has therefore ceased, but as it is po&sible that he may not view the matter in the same light as the Commissioner and Ministers, it is not unlikely that the Supreme Court will yet be called upon to say whether the circumstances justify the termination of the contract by one of the parties. It is, however, certain that Mr George Thome's connection with the Department has absolutely ceased, and we have little doubt the news will be received with feelings of satisfaction throughout the colony. We do not wish now to discuss the question whether the agreement under which he assumed thesuperintendence of agents was or was not a proper one, but we are quite sure that Parliament would this session, in the light of recent events, have in&isted on its cancellation at any cost, had not the Commissioner and the Government acted promptly and firmly in the matter. The office of Superintendent of Agents is not, we believe, likely to be rilled up, but the whole department is being reorganised so as to eecui'e the efficient performance of its functions. The recent appointments of Mr Richardson as accountant and Mr Frankland as actuary are steps in the right direction, and if the other changes in contemplation are of as judicious u character as these appointments and the removal of Mr Thorne, we do not think Mr Fish will find it at all necessary to trouble Parliament" by a committee of inquiry."