ABUSE OF PATRONAGE.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 778, 18 February 1871, Page 2

ABUSE OF PATRONAGE.

The Wellington " Evening Post," in reply t& a challeuge issued by the Ministerial journal, the Wellington ? Independent," to mention any instances of abuse of patronage on the part of the present .Government, publishes the following:—" We accept our contemporary's definition. Abuse of patronage may be twofold; the appointment of incapable officers, and the creation of unnecessary offices. If an office is required, it is mal-administra-tion to fill it up inefficiently, aud if it is not required, the appointment to it o even a good officer is not a justification.' A few instances of each case may satisfy the craving for knowledge now exhibited. First then, for an appointment which was not wanted, and for which the person selected was not qualified - that of Mr Henry Sewell to be Minister of Justice. Of the first class, that of Mr E. Fox to be private secretary to .Mr Vogel ; that of Major Green to be secretary to the Government Agent in Hawke's Bay, an office which had been abolished by G. M. Russell when agent, but which was restored by Mr Ormond on his appointment, with arrears of salary to Major Creen for the period during which he had not been emploved by Mr Bussed. Of both classes, "the appointment of Captain Baldwin to be a travelling lecturer under the Government .Assurance scheme. Of the first class, the appointment of Captain Kennedy as mail pilot. Of the second class, the appointment of Messrs Moorhouse and Main as registrars under the Torrens Act, they being perhaps the two least qualified members of the profession in the Colony. Of both classes, the recent appointment of two clerks in the Treasury, who have been imported from Auckland, at salaries amongst the highest in the department, only to be engaged in routine work formerly done by cadets at £BO a year. Of the first class, the appointment of Captain East as mail agent, and of the first class, that of Mr Thompson as detective inspector. We have not space to further multiply instances at present, but we have the best reason for knowing that the present Government has actually added between £20,000 and £25,000 per annum to the cost of the Civil Service. We will continue the list if the " Independent" is not satisfied.