THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 171, 26 April 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 1872.

In commenting on tlie enormity of the Civil Service of New Zealand previously, we have pointed out, amongst other glaring instances, one department in particular, which is a recent creation, and appears especially extravagant, and so far of little utility to the colony, and so far as the Thames is concerned, of no benefit whatever—the Public Works Department. The public works here are paltry in the extreme, and of many undertakings promised a long time ago nearly all-of them are yet in abeyance. The long promised visit of Mr Haughton has at

length been made. He arrived yesterday, and it is understood he is to perambulate the district and make a report as to the proposed water supply and other public works. What the qualifications of this gentleman are for such an office we are at a loss to know. We never heard of his possessing any engineering knowledge. He is well known here as a member of a once flourishing shaicbroking firm, which, however, collapsed after a brief career, but, curiously enough, all the three members of the firm tumbled into Government “billets” very shortly afterwards, and hold them up to the present time,the junior member being the gentleman who now re-visits his old quarters in his official capacity. If Mr Haughton can do anything towards initiating a comprehensive scheme of public works on this goldfield, including an adequate water supply, he ■will certainly do us good service; but after witnessing the official visits of the Engineer- in-Chief and his deputy, and hearing their promises, and knowing what has become of them, we have little faith in the Government undertaking the works. In the first place the money is being so disgracefully squandered in other quarters that we don t believe they will have the cash to spare for the purpose. What can Mr Haughton tell the Government about these works that they don’t know already from Mr Carruthers, Mr Blackett, Mr O’Neill, and others who have already inspected the locality. We believe this visit to be a thorough farce, so far as any practical result is likely to follow ; and ifwcare mistaken,all we can say is, that we shall be agreeably surprised. Until some radical change takes place in the management of the Gold Fields we don’t believe they will ever receive that attention which their importance demands, and, considering the Government draws a very large revenue from the Thames, we cannot help thinking that it has been greatly neglected. It happened, unfortunately, in reference to the water supply, that several rival schemes were proposed —some advocating a high level scheme, another a low level, and a third a sort of compromise between the two. “ Experts ” wrote letters advocating their own particular views ; and the Government has taken advantage of the diversity of opinion to let the matter slip altogether. It is our opinion that the high level scheme would be the best, but on the other hand it is the most expensive,

and would probably cost in round numbers £IOO,OOO. That the expenditure of such a sum for such a purpose, if the works were properly executed, would be ultimately highly remunera-

tive we have no doubt whatever, but we feel equally sure that Government cannot and will not spend that amount here. From all parts of the colony an outcry is being raised at the way in which the money is going, and with good reason; and in the face of this it is not likely that much will be done for the Thames which is so inadequately represented in the Assembly as to have much less than its proper influence in the House. The Thames must have extended representation, and have members who will stick to their posts and look after the interests of their constituents, before she gets her share of public money, or we might even say a fair share ol what she contributes to the Government in the shape of taxation. What money the Government has at its disposal for public works will be spent on almost useless Railways leading into the bush, and there won’t be many even of them completed before the Exchequer is exhausted. Mr J. C. Richmond, we observe, has been addressing the people at Nelson lately, and drawing a dismal, ] but we believe a true, picture of what is before the colony, unless more prudent hands guide the helm of state. That the climate and resources of New Zealand are sufficient to render it one of the most prosperous and happy colonics under the British flag is universally admitted, and it docs seem a pity that it should be so disgracefully mismanaged. The day of reckoning,however, must come sooner or later, and unless we are greatly mistaken, the present Ministry will have some trouble to pull through next session. It may be that for a time they may carry on by still further increasing the civil list, and purchase a venal support by further patronage, and the creation of new “ billets,” but this system cannot last for ever. It has already gone almost as far as the people will bear. A perusal of the blue books lately—and which ought to have been received long ago, for they were called for last August,— reveals an amount of expenditure which, in view of the small population, we believe is absolutely unparalleled, and we cannot think that the people are really aware of the reckless manner in which the public funds are being wasted. The Press, however, is very generally calling attention to the state of things which exists, and all but those journalists who must speak in terms of stipendiary adulation of the powers that be, are warning their readers of what is going on. In a few weeks the Parliament will be called together, and wc repeat that as soon as possible the electors of the several districts should call their representatives together, and obtain a promise from them that they will, during the coming session, insist upon the public revenue being more judiciously and economically expended, and that if the present Government will not meet their view that they will unite to turn them out of office, and choose more fitting successors.