ALEXANDRA.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2979, 2 September 1878, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

Saturday. Dissatisfaction is felt all over this district at the sudden dismissal of the Resi-, dent Magistrate, Major Mair, after fifteen years' service in; the Government, withlout any cause being assigned. The appointment to the pose of MrW, H. Grace, iwho is said to have no experience whatever, has,also.given much dissatisfaction. Meetings are to be held here today; and at Te Awamutu, to protest against the, action of the Government in the matter^ The following petition was unanimously adapted at en influential public meeting held in the public hall here this afternoon :—" To the Hon. the Minister for Jußtice, .Wellington.—We, your petitioners, haying learned with re-. gret that Major W. G. Mair, our Resident Magistrate, is about to be removed from this district, would humbly ask,you to reconsider your decision for the following reasons:—That during the nauny years Major Mair has acted as R.Mvof this district, he has given" universal satisfaction by the impartiality of his judgments, and the uprightness of his conduct; they (your petitioners) consider him eminently fitted to fulfil the post of 8.M., from his long experience in that capacity ; that,'as native commissioner, he has done great service to the country^ for under his beneficial influence,#drunkenness and the thieving propensities, once .common amongst the natives, have nearly disappeared, and a: good ; feeling has been effected amongst us ; that there has been a feeling of security amongst the settlers arid a freedom from panics very common beforei' For these, and various; other reason's, we hope thait you will-not dismiss, from the'public service an old and valuable servant, and your petitioners," &c. The above was numerously signed at the meeting, and a-committee was formed to procure signatures.