RETRENCHMENT IN OTA GO.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 462, 6 February 1869, Page 3

RETRENCHMENT IN OTA GO.

The Provincial Government of Otago contemplate reducing the cost of carrying ou the business of the Province to the tune of something like £12,000 a year. Amongst the various proposed items of retrenchment wc clip the following from the Evening Star : —The Land Department is to be under the charge of the Chief Surveyor, and the services of Messrs Cutten, Short, and one clerk, dispensed with; the Chief Clerk to the Treasury to attend also to the Land Department, of which he is to be the Chief Clerk. The separate books now kept in various depart meats to be all kept at the Treasury, and the Treasury to be open for making payments only two days in the week, Tuesdays and Fridays. This latter change is to be from the first of February. The General Road Board Department is also to be dispensed with, and the clerical duties performed by the Clerk to the Executive Council; the road survey to be under the Chief Surveyor of the Province. The Survey Department is to be reduced by £SOOO a year. A great part of the work is to be done by contract, and District Surveyors appointed throughout the Province upon a system similar to that which prevails in some of the Australian colonies. The Commissioner of Police will further reduce his department to the tune of £2OOO a-year! besides the £IOOO yearly saved by the Police conveying some of the inland mails. The Roads and Works Department is cut down to the extent of £llOO a-year, and is to consist of one chief and three district engineers. We understand that Mr Barr, an officer who has been some time in the service, is promoted to be chief. Immigration Department is abolished, and the duties devolve upon the Superintendent's Clerk and the Clerk to the Executive Council. Provincial Solicitors's Clerk, also Clerk and Storekeeper to the Dunedin Gaol, to be dispensed with."