The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, JUNK 23,1870. " Measures, not Men."

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 124, 23 June 1870, Page 4

The Tuapeka Times. THURSDAY, JUNK 23, 1870. " Measures, not Men."

where his suspicions are aroused, to demand a muster of the stock of any applicant after a reasonable notice is given, and in the event of any "wilful misrepresentation being discovered, be empowered to prosecute for the extra number, leaving it with the Board to decide whether such a stock-owner should not forfeit his privilege of depasturing stock on the commonage. The present inspector has been appointed^ Inspector of the Wakatip District^ also, and although that gentleman may be thoroughly competent to overtake the work which devolves upon him under the office of inspector of both districts, it has been long evident to the Board and to the public that an inspector who does not also combine the duties of ranger, is of little use in the management of the Tuapeka and Waitahuna Commonage. This fact has been patent to the Wardens ever since they took office, and we believe the principal reason why they have retained office so long, has been their conviction that the Government would accede to their oftrepeated wishes, and combine the two offices. But as they have now given up all hope of any such result, we would respectfully suggest to them, in retiring from their duties for the year, to lod^e with the Government a protest against their treatment as a public body, and a recommendation that as they do not appear to be considered capable of exercising their judgment in the management of the district, the Government had better take the matter entirely into its own hands. Let the demand of the Board be — A Ranger, or no Board at all.

In the course of a few weeks there will be an election of Wardens for the Tuapeka and Waitahuna Depasturing Districts. The Board has now nearly completed the second year of its existence. As an experimen, it has proved a decided failure. That failure, however, is not in any respect attributable to the Board, but entirely to Government obstinacy or Government bungling. So far as we are aware, the members of the Board have fulfilled their duties better than might be expected of any body of men with so very vague ideas of the limited powers and responsibilities imposed upon them. Whenever occasion demanded, they have been at their post to grant or refuse licenses accoi'ding to the merits of the applicants. In feet their work has latterly resolved itself into that one particular duty. The questions which now suggest themselves to the public are these : — Does the Board meet the necessities of the district ? Is it in a position to say that the assessment roll is a fair approximation to the number of cattle depastured on the run ? Does its existence exert any check upon unprincipled stock-owners who may be depasturing double the number they place on their assessment papers? To each of these questions, and many others that might be asked, we answer unhesitatingly in the negative. To a very great extent the Board has been a farce. It has been a body without limbs — having the power of thinking without the power of acting. It has made laws which it cannot bring into operation, and passed resolutions which it cannot carry out. The Governmenthave placed it in this anomalous position for reasons best known to themselves. Tinie after time the Board has protested against the absurd position it occupies ; it has made very necessary bye-laws, which the Government refuse to gazette, and it has asked for power to appoint a ranger, with a similar result. They cannot instruct the inspector in even the smallest matter, as he is not their servant, and will only be instructed by the Superintendent, or his Executive. Until the power of appointing a ranger is delegated to the Board, its members would be much' better occupied at their own firesides than wasting their time as they are at present compelled to do. The position in which they are now held by the Government is degrading to their characters as responsible beings. We cannot imagine what object can be had in view by refusing the appointment of a ranger. It cannot be one of economy, as such an appointment would have the effect of largely increasing the assessment. The absence of a ranger has been the one great defect in the constitution of the Board, and all their deliberations will be valueless without one. 'They require a man whose business it will be not only to know every owner of stock in the district, but the exact number of stock depastured — a man who will have the power at any moment, in cases