A DEARTH OP SHERIFFS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1682, 5 January 1888, Page 1

A DEARTH OP SHERIFFS.

What at one time in England was thought 6 very honorable, if onerous, post il: now going a-begging. We refer to that of Sheriff for the county. At present it seem* as if the office must goon die a natural death, not because it is useless and expensive, but because persona eligible to hold it will have ceased to exist. On November 12th leverel counties seat pitiful tale* of the distress to which'the landed proprietors are reduced. One gentleman was excused because, with nine farms on his bands, he was obliged to act- as his own farm bailiff, A second had 1900 acres in hand out of an estate of 2000, A thjirij. jn addition to his estate in Somerset, hsdj the'misfortune ftho to pwn a Biljar L, pkntat{6n’' , in the' West Indies. Between the "two his''income had disappeared. Others had been forced to let the manor house. Still, in the end, a . list, comprising doubtless many persons only slightly belter off, but too proud to let,their poverty be known, was got together, and the one of the three who has the ill-luck to: bo “pricked” will prepare to spend* his £BOO o? £IOOO on state chariots and state liveries, which; serve no earthly, purpose. It is a cruel farce (adds » Home paper), and the sooner an end is put to it the better,