OLD PETER PIPER AND THE " GREAT UNPAID."

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 23, 18 July 1868, Page 3

OLD PETER PIPER AND THE " GREAT UNPAID."

(To tlie Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sir, I have been very much amused, and a good deal mystified, by the perusal of the new list of magistrates, published by your " big brother " on the 11th inst. ; and I should like, with your kind permission, to throw out a feeler, as to the qualifications necessary for the honorable position of Justice of the Peace. I have failed to satisfy myself that very many out of this number of 112 have been selected on the score of ' merit, or that they have been distinguished, or are known amongst us in the Province of Otago as gentlemen who have, by word or deed, advanced the interests of the Province. I am aware that in the old country such office is generally conferred by favor ; but we have a right to expect that in the colonies, where in birth and education we are very much on a par, that we should have had such a selection as would alike honor the bestower and the receiver. We should at least have a list of magistrates who are known for their good deeds, and who know something more of the Queen's English than the mere spelling of theii names. As to the list itself, I shall endeavor to show that it is unpardonablj one-sided. I find that out of 112 on th« list there are 6?> squatters and squatters agents together, 27 officials and professional men, 14 agriculturists and gentle men, and 6 gentlemen, or thereabouts who live by their wits ; and it is wel known that a goodly number of the abov< are strong partisans of the General Go vernment, and have received their com mission ©n accotfnfr otf^heir determin.ee

exposition . to ' Provincialism/^ and *to thet Government of 'Otago more especially. The'selection is too mean and narrov to be passed over in silence.' 'Then, as to the diffusion of all these honors/ 1 find' that in spme districts they are as thick as " three in a bed," while in other districts there are none. I will take, for instance, the districts of Waikouaiti und Palnierston, where, -with a comparatively small population, there are no less than eight ; whilst in the more extensively populated district of Tuapeka there are only two— none at Waipori or Waitahuna. Surely more than two could have^ been found at Lawrence who shook hands with Sir George Grey and bowed to the " Major." Why were our respected Mayor and M.r.O.'s all left out 1 What makes the difference between a hotelkeeper and the merchant who supplies him with the grog? Which of the two is the greatest sinner, he who sells a nobbier or he who sells a cask 1 And as to our M.P.C.'s, don't you think any one of them would sit with becoming dignity and.oase on the magisterial bench? Our friend Matthew is true as the gospel ; while of all the shades of politics, commend me to the Browns. And oh, the sin of leaving out our worthy and esteemed Superintendent Mr. Macandrew. I consider this is a malicious omission, and I pity the contemptible mind that dictated it. And then there are Mr. Yogel and Mr. George Duncan, who are well deserving of the honor ; but we happen to know the reason why they have not got it, and that is this : that they are in earnest in serving the Province, and in supporting the policy of our chief. Mr. Duncan is an old respected settler, has a large stake in the country, and is a sound Provincialist. Lastly, there is not a single name in the entire list who has originated any local industry, or is engaged in any manufacture. There are no engineers, millers, brewers, flax spinners, &c. lam not a brewer's advocate, far from it ; but where is the difference between the man who brews 500 hogsheads of beer and the one who imports it 1 yet such is the distinction in the list before me. If, Mr. Editor, you are in the secret, as to how these matters are conducted, perhaps you will oblige by informing an enquiring public. — 1 am, &c, Old Petes. Piper. Weatherstones Braes. July 15, 1868.