The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3045, 18 November 1878, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1878.

Thb contemplated changes in the location of officers of Armed Constabulary are to embrace the transfer of Mr SubInspector Bullen to Taranaki, who will be replaced by Mr Sub-Inspector Kenny This comes to us in a telegram from Taranaki, and there is no reason to doubt its authenticity. While sorry to lose Mr Bullen, who has for the last eight Or nine years had control of the police force in this district, we may fairly assume that the change will he to his advantage, and that he will receire promotion and an increase of pay on his remoTal. Owing to, changes of gorernment, and alterations in the system of management of the Armed Constabulary, some old and deserving officers hare been unjustly treatedfcf late. Mr Bullen we regard as one of these, as he has been kept in his present rank for some years while officers of infinitely less experience hare beea put over his head. In effecting this change, therefore, we trust the Government will make amends, and give him the position which his length of service and undoubted abilities as an officer of police have entitled him to; and we have little doubt such is the intention of the Government, as Taranaki is a Provincial District and police district, and requires at its head anoffioer who has that sort of experience not generally acquired by officers of the semi-military branch of the Armed Constabulary.

The telegrams to-day record another serious visitation to some of our fellow colonists in the Middle Island, in the form of a furious gale and bush fire, doing damage to the extent of thousands of pounds, and causing loss of life and serious bodily injuries. It was only a short time ago that a very large tract of country wai inundated by floods through the melting of the snow. The damage by the floods was roughly estimated at £110,000. This was actual loss, and fell far short of what it would take to replace houses, bridges and other useful works, to say nothing of the valuable lives that could not be recalled. The damages by the gale and fire may probably be found to be much over the first estimate. We are sure that the people of this district will not withhold their sympathy from their fellow colonists, and some there be who may feel inclined to show it in a practical form, by adding their mites to the relief fund being raised in the South. This may be said to be a bad time to make such a suggestion, but if we are to concentrate our attention on local affairs we isolate ourselves from that

bond of union which should encircle people of one ruce and country dwelling in a Colony like this. Will not somebody take, the initiative and show our friends in the South that we are not altogether unmindful of their distresses P