The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1883. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1487, 19 September 1883, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1883. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

The Ministers in this colony have promised us Civil Service reform for next session, but as yet we have no knowledge of the conditions under whiih they propose to effect it. At this juncture, in the neighboring colony of Victoria, Mr Service is introducing a Bill which is calculated to accomplish exactly what we in New Zealand require. We are, however, somewhat afraid that since Sir Jobs Hall resigned, our own Ministry haa not possessed sufficient backbone to carry through a reorganisation of the Civil Service such as that which is pretty certain to be accomplished in Victoria. The necessity for such a reform is very generally admitted. As things now are, the ranks of our Civil Service are, in the main, recruited by tho quiet and unostentatious influences of members of the House of .Representatives. Even the higher positions . in., the Service have frequently been given to favored outsiders, who have been passed over the heads of experienced officers of the Service with every claim for promotion, and only lacking (he one thing needful, viz., relationship to an influential legislator. We are of opinion that a very large amount of public money is wasted annually in providing annual incomes for political retainers who arc in many instances, not worth their salt; also that the veal working bees of the Civil Service are frequently starved in order that the drones may be maintained. The Victorian Civil Service Keform Bill is described by the Otago Paily Times in the following terms : " The prime principlo of the Bill is to take the control and management of the service entirely out of the hands of Ministers, and delegate all the powers formerly entrusted to them, together with many duties which they could nob; undertake, to a board of three commissioners—the same gentlemen who already do the auditing of th« public accounts. One of the first provisions, to quote the rmime of tb# bill given by our own correspondent, U

that all persons at present permanently employed in the service, classified or unclassified, will be deemed hereafter to ba in the public service—thus doing away with the very anomalous condition of things at present existing. The service is then divided into four divisions. Tho first is confined solely to heads of departments. The other divisions are professional, cletieal, and nonclerical. The first division and tho professional will be paid salaries, as hitherto, voted by Parliuraont from year to year. The clerical division,' which comprises tho great body of the public service, will bo divided into two grades, subdivided into three classes in the higher, and two in tho tower. One of the first duties of the new board will be the work of classification, not of the officers, but of the duties they perform. Under the present system it is not at all Uncommon to seo an officer of ft lower class performing wore onerous and responsible duties than those undertaken by a more highly-classified and .bettor remunerated official. This will [be remedied by classifying the work into tho first, second, third, fourth, or fifth class. Another improvement introduced is that the officers will bo regarded as belonging to the Bervice as a whole, and not to any special department. They will thus be transferred wherever their services can be best utilised—a change which should certainly prove of advantage to the officials as offering a wider field for promotion. In the case of new appointments, the board will not only have to certify that tha appointment is necessary, but, from a register kept, showing tho position of person in tho service, will havo to show who is entitled either to promotion or to the new appointment. The competitive system, as it is used in Eugland, is adopted for first admission to the service, and next for passing from the lower to the higher grades." If Ministers in this colony are aincere in this desire to reform the civil service they cannot do bettor than bring in a Bill on similar lines. The existing system is an expensive one to this overtaxed colony, while at the same time it disgusts and discourages tho best men in the service. If we are not strong enough to face the difficulty in the thorough way which is now being adopted in Victoria, it would be better to leave it alone, and wait till a more afficientMiuistry is in power.

The Hun. P. A. Buokloy is reported by Hansard to havo complimented R.M. Courts in the following terroß :—"lf there was a tribunal in the country before which one had a horror of appearing, it was_ the Eeaidenh Magistrate's Court. In nine oaoea out of ten neither law nor justice waß administered in such Courts."

Tho minstrel entertainment at the Town Hall, Carterton, on Tuesday even infi, for the benefit of Mr John Crawley, Was largely attended, and the frequent rounds of applause testified how well pleased the audience were with tho efforts made to amuse them, and at tho same time benefit a suffering follow settler. The nett proceeds are reported at over J2O.

The usual monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Institute Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs Porritt (Chairman), Gray, Skoet, Nation, Brooks, Bey and Webster. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £l6 ssßd, Several small accounts wore passed for payment. In the absence of Mr Wood, Mr Gray moved and Mr Nation seconded I bat the meolinga of the Committee bo hold quarterly, and that the Chairimn and Secretary be authorized to call tiif tings for special purposes if neceosary. The meeting then adjourned. During the progress of the minuiiol entertainment on Monday evening a Cartorlon the hall narrowly escaped being destroyed by Bro through the falling of a keroseno lamp. This is the second time within a fortnight that the business part of the town has been endangered from the earno source, and on each occasion a large number of people have been within ihe building. It seems incredible that in the fnco of the accounts of disasters received from other places and such warnings at their very door the local board at Carterton continue to allow large crowds to meet in buildings that should not be hesnaed until every precaution was taken tu ensure the safety of the audienou if any part of the building were alight. In the present instance the lamp wa» in the porch and the accident only known to a few, but an impression soon got abroad that something was wronfr, and it is only due to the presence of mind displayed by the few at the door-that a panic and its eonsequences were averted. We trust this last escape may not. be disregarded. The new Police Coarl at Grey town was opened yesterday for tha first time on the occasion of the sitting of the RM. The floor baa been covered with oil-cloth i throughout, and new furniture provided, the inside of the building looking very well, and what added tp its cheerfulness wag several bunches of beautiful, flowers placed on the tables and boneh by Constable Kccleton from his own garden. Mr ®ray on behalf of the Solicitor practicing in the place, complimented the R,M. on taking his seat in a building more anited to the requirements of the district than that used for such a considerable timo, and expressed a hope that Mr Wsrdell would long preside in it. Mr Wardell in reply took occasion to say that he was glad that ihey had a house to call their where tbey could have the windows opened |T necessary, and not have to apply time after time, only to be refused. He thought the building rather low, but otherwise was much pleased with it The first who had the doubtful honor of being placed in the dock was Mrs Mary Smith charged with drunltonosx, who wus fined Ova shillings or twenty-four hours. Mr Pye was fined five shilliniis and cbsls for allowing a chimney to catch firo. Several debt Cases were also disposed of.

In addition to tho appointment of Mr Woltars as Treasurer and Mr 11, Fair, brother as £S«crotai'y, the following business was transacted at tho meeting of tho Directors of tho Tnratahi Dairy Company on Monday last: Two lendora fot firewood were sent in tut both declined The seventh call of 2s 6tl per share wan made payable on October Ist, Tho bank account, in accordance with a resolution passed at the last annual m;atinj», was changed from the Bank of New South Wales, WflUington, to the Batik of New Zealand, Carterton. A committee was appointed to arrange for the purchase and fixing of a pump, piping, - and tank, for utilising the whey.- Not receiving any tender for purchasing the whey, M r Barrows agreed to give one farthing per gallon, which offer was accepted. Another consignment of plant t was-reported to have arrived. "As mora capital is required it is intended to canvas the district for the parpoae ot placing the yet unallotted shares. Operations are expected to eoncimeasa on October Ist.

Mr J. W. Clayson has filed his sohodule. The ordinary, monthly meeting of tho Mastertot; School Commit too takes place this evening.

The usnal practice of the Groytowni Fire Brigade will be held tu'-morroW evening.

The Goar Meat Preserving Company invite tendons for- driving stock in out l advertising columns.

Wo direct attention to Mr G. W. Schroder's now advertisement of spring yoods in imother column.

Thn annual meeting of the Maatorton Cricket Olub is convened for Friday evening at the office of Messrs Beard and Gray, Mr Wardetl R.M. sits at Carterton to day. Mr R, H. Elliotte appears on this uucnsiou to answer to an alleged breach of the Licensing Act.

It is anticipated that His Excellency i lie Governor will visit the Pastoral Show in November next.

Wo regret to learn that as yet the health of Mr Samuel, the head noa«ster of tho Curtoriou Sohool, shows no indication of improvement. He is now staying on sick leuvo at Sumner, in the province of Canterbury. Mr C. Smith, of the Masterton Cash S ore, has an advertisement .of spring novelties m another column.

A cotnplimontarr concert to be given at Greytown to Mrs Shannon of Feathereton on Monday evening next, promises to ba a great success. Several performers from Muslerton, Carterton, and Featherston will be present, and we have every expectation of seeing a bumnar house. The Loyal Masterton Lodge of Oddfellows met at their lodge room last evening, two new members being initiated. and another proposed. A distress gift was Voted to a needy brother and a long : discussion held on the' question of registration and reducing initiation fooa.Theso two important mat tors were adjourned to a summoned meeting. We havo received an application from the Wellington Young Men's Christian Association for 4 gratuitous oopy of tho WiiBAitATA Daiiy. Wo have a great reaped for any young men'a association winch is constituted for any worthy purpurpose, but we ask ourselves is "cadging for free newspapers" & laudable object or even a. Christian mission. If wo wore to ask this Young Mens' Christian Association for thirty shillings per annum and give its members no " quid pro quo" for tho contribution we should probably ba regarded by them as robbers or lunatics. We are more charitable than they I We da not look upon them us dishonest or lnsuio, but simply us a collection of mean miserable contemptible christian beggars. The report nf the Synod Committee appointed. to investigate the working of the General Church Fund is to tho effect that the receipts during the three years it has been in force up to 80th June last, amounted to £11,585, and tho actual expenditure, £11,300, leaving an apuarent credit balance on the 30;b June of £279. But on thit date "£1267 was due for stipends and £ll9 to the Maori Mission, ranking total liabilities of £1386, in ad-; dition to the loan of £7OO which had been raised. As against this total there was £1126 duß from the parishes (under assessments) and £2O for interest. From this the committee deducted&L66 as doubtful I ot recovery, leaving as an available : asset. This left an actual deficit of £126 on current account/ which, with the loan, £7OO, added, made a total indebtedness of £826. Against this there wore, as asset?,' £28(3 for unpaid subscriptions, &c.,'i doubtful of recovery j £372 for accumulated interest on tho Tinakori-road property ; £763 lent by the Diocesan Fund (now absorbed into this fund) ; and £3OB balance of the Special Fund in the hands of the President, During the three years of thn General Church Fund, i. f 11,806 had boen upont on Church work in the diocese, uh against £7OBO for the last thruo years of tho Diocesan Fund, — Evening Post.

In a vory foroiblo and amuaing speech delivered Inst night in the Diooosau Synod on the Church Fund question, the Rev P. Cameron, of Wnngonui, related ah anecdote of a lady mo moor of the Froo Church of Scotland, who drove twelvo_ miles lo collect a subscription of one shilling, and had to pay one shilling und . sixpence in tolls for (loins; so (laughter), but who did it for the sake of keeping up tho subscriber's interest in Church matters. He urged the Church members not lo " ko in blinkers," and be unable to see outside their own parishes, but to look to the good of the whole ■Church. Pursuit g bis equine illustration, be said tho clergy wero continually being lashed for their want of energy. Now, be rode as good a horse as any clergyman in the country, but he had to give that horse plenty of good bats to. make him go. It was no use whipping him unless you. gave him lots 'of oats too. Now, that was how the clergy should be treated. "Sfou should give them more oats and teas of the whip. (Laughter.) Give them plenty of oats, and Bee what fine sermons yon would get then. (Roars of laughter.) It might be quite true that there was "nothing like leather," but let tha leather be in the shape—not of a " whip," but of a " purße." (Laughter and applause.) It must be confessed there is sv good deal of force in the rev. gentleman'o facetious argument.—Po»t.

A requisition is to be presented to Mr E. Shaw M.H.R. asking him to come forward as a candidate for the office of Mayor of the City of Wellington. The Returning Officer has already received nominations from Messrs Feisi, C. J)ixon, and Fielding, for the vacant seat in the Masterton Borough Council. -The Hall of Commerce surplus clearing sale will continue until Saturday next, during which time setilers will have an opportunity of purchasing every description of drapery, at English cost prices. Q. W. Schroder wilt offer to-day and the following week an immense assortment of remnnni's'of now goods, calicoeß. sheet* ings, winceys, tiinnels, &&, at vorylow prices, Boy's," youths' and men's overcoats are being aold rapidly at greatly rcducod prices.—Advt.

The extraordinary sale of Surplus Wintor Stock at To Aro Hoaao, WelHngtonBhotild bo a matter of some interest to all renders of tho YVaibaiupa Dailt (or those special reason*, Ist, bocauso of tho largenoßS of tho stock, 2nd, because of tJio short duration oi tho sJe, 16 days only, 3rd, because of tho nnprocedontcdly low prioos. Our price list, issued with this paper, should, wo think, astonish everybody, and very corwiii it is that a trip to tho nalo would bo money in pocket to every Wakarapa resident that should Uy it. If not able to come,.their orders, accompanied with cash, would be as well excoutod as though selected personally, it simply means 20s for 10s, or even less in many cases, therefore try it, 0 ye residents, and that right early. Boar in. mind that we have 1 no country busujDSsCP whatever, no branches in any township, .tad no one is authorised to sell for us, either regularly or irregularly, Ffe ham only ont place of lutiness in the province, rad the public would do well to keep thi; fact in mind when sending their orders, or visiting Welington.th&t our solo establishment in the colony is that known as Jahsk Suuu's Te Arr> House. Wellington Advt.

Do?]'T DIE IN THE HOTJSB.—" Bough m Eats" clears oat rats, mice, jfoaeb.es, bed-bugs, flies, ants, insects, lioiei, jack. rabbits, gophers, ilosos,. Moss, at Go,, Sydney, Graoeral Agents,

" Major" Barker and Mrs Barker, of tho Salvsikm Argiy, arrived at Wellington by at same? horn " Lytielton at 1,16 this afternoon. Th#y w«r» met by the ofßcere of the local " array," and driven to the barracks, where a formal wfllcomo took place. To-morrow Mrs Barker will present the colors to the corps, and the event will be celebrated by a monster tea fight.

Bkihhx Mem.—*' Wells' Health Benawcr" rc&toroa health and vigor, cures Dyspeuaia, Impotence, Debility* Moses, Moss & Co,, 'Jydney, General Agenta,

Wblm' "fioooa: oh Conns."—Ask for Wells' "Bough on Coras." Quick - re--l : of, complete, permanent curs.- Corns, Wiirta, bunions. Mosea, MoaVi- Co„Sydney, General Ageat.o.