The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1874.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1498, 28 November 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1874.

__r tha cause that lacks assistanc*, For the wront tliat needs resiatamce. For tha feature in the distance, Aai tha good that we can do.

We believe it will afford general satisfaction to learn that Mr B. Tonks has accepted office as Provincial Treasurer. That gentleman's business experience, good practical sense and knowledge of provincial affairs, will unquestionably be a strength to the Executive, and be of great service to the Superintendent in administering the affairs of the province. To those who believe that political differences should never be buried, the accession of Mr Tonks to Mr Williamson's administration will doubtless be an offence, and mayhap he will be charged with political treason in manifesting a desire to assist the efforts, for the welfare of the province, of a Superintendent to whose election he has been opposed. Mr Tonks, however, probably believes that a well, fought battle should be followed by truce and friendship rather than by desire to undermine and thwart; and that if he differs on any points of policy his influence for the public good will be better employed in advising and,modifying than in merely opposing. We believe that Mr Tonks' accession to office will be for the good of the ptoviuce ; whether it will be for his own pecuniary advantage is a matter about which no one need concern himself but Mr Tonks. Few will doubt that it will be to his pecuniary loss, and that in the transaction of an extensive business like that carried on by the new Treasurer, the profits of office will bo a small return for the loaa '

resulting from his attention and time being taken from his own concerns. And ib does seem hard where there are so many with no business at all, or business of such a character that the emoluments of office would be to them of vital importance, in fact a means of livelihood, and whose teeth water and hearts yearn for the f-leshpots, that these should be passed over and a gentleman like Mr Tonks .elected, to whom, office cannot be otherwise than a pecuniary loss. However, such is the lot of life ; to him that hath shall be given. With these we cannot but sympathise, knowing what gnashing of teeth will be caused by Mr Tonks' acceptance of office. Looking at the matter, however, only in the light of public interest, we cordially congratulate the province on the appointment, for we do not hesitate to say that the new Treasurer will prove himself an able, honest, and straightforward administrator.

In our yesterday's telegrams we had the report of the meeting of Mr W. Kelly with his constituents down the East Coast. Mr Kelly is esteemed by every one that knows him as one of the finest, worthiest fellows in their acquaintance, but Mr Kelly, like many another apparently, can talk unmitigated bunkum when he likes. A correspondent in our issue to-day draws attention to this, but we think there are few that read the brief report yesterday who required their attention being drawn to it. We entirely sympathise with Mr Kelly's views in favour of central administration, though we have not the same cause for it that he has. It is no disparagement to Mr Kelly to say that he has made his fortune mainly throu.h the favour of the Native Department. His part in it has becen perfectly legitimate, and entirely as a matter of business, and he feels kindly towards the native administration in particular, and the Government in general. He would be a thumping fool if he did not. But Mr Kelly is drawing it too strong when he denounced "Provincialism as another word for neglect of the out-districts. The money was expended in Auckland and suburbs." This was however utteredinan "out district," and was doubtless successful in doing what alone was intended-tickling the ears of the groundlings. Provincialism is being called to account just now foe many a shortcoming, by those whose desires it lias not gratified, but this chaige against Auckland ciry of having all Provincial money expended within its limits and its suburbs, is the unkindest cut of all. That Auckland and suburbs are wionged to the benefit of the out-districts year after year in thoappropriat ous, is admitted by any one that knows any thing about it, and appears in the simple fact that there is hardly any expenditure at all from Provincial funds on the city and suburbs. But when we see a decent worthy fellow, like William Kelly, talking such rot, what next '!