POLITICAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1891, Page 5

POLITICAL.

Tho Hon. A. J. Cadrnan, Native Minister, was entertained by his constituents at a banquet on Friday evening, March 6th. It was a most demonstrative and brilliant gathering. The public were so enthusiastic that thoy meb the hon. gentleman vn route, and escorted him to tho hotel, headed by the brass band to the tuno of " See the Conquering Hero Comes." In responding to the toast of the evening, tho Native Minister, after reviewing tho position of affairs regarding tho presenb Government's accession to oflice, expressed himself as boing alive to the necessity for reform in the department under his control, which he will endeavour to bring about. He also promised important amendments in the existing native laws.

Thollon. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-Genera' in the present Government, with his Secretary Mr Russell, arrived from Sydney on the 25th inst. by tho Hauroto. Mr Ward ha. been attending tho Postal Conference in Sydney on behalf of Now Zealand. Mr Ward states that tho chief beneficial result of tho Conforcrice will be that, tho different colonies will soon bring their postal systems into something liko uniformity.* At present the postal regulations in the colonies vary greatly, and the result is trouble and annoyance. x\n intercolonial penny post lor letters and halfpenny post for newspapers was also discussed, and from tho opinions oxprcssed by tho doleKates it is highly probable that a your or two will see thoso reforms established. It is already well-known rhat Mr Ward intends to bring in a Bill for a New Zealand penny post.

Tho Government aro engaged in drawing up a scheme for the classification of the whole Civil Service. Sir Julius Voxel's proposals in tho Financial Statement of 1887 are the basis, and power is already given under tho Act of 1866 to classify. No further legislation ia needed, but tho Government contemplate consolidating the laws relating to tho Civil Service, ondtaking tho power to appoint an Advisory Council of heads of departments. The officers will ho divided into eight classes, each with four divisions, tho lowosb being cadets anil tho highest tho-.o with salaries from £450 to £800. No distinction is to bo mado between professional and clerical branches. • Promotion will be mainly by merit, but Parliament may bo from timo to time asked to voto increases in ono or more divisions if it should soom that tho salaries paid are inadequate. Such increases will not bo regular, and will always bo subjecb to tho voto of Parliament. As soon as tho classification is complotod :'.t will bo gazetted, but appeals will be allowed, as the Ministers recognise it will bo impossiblo to make satisfactory adjustment at the first attempt, and timo must boallowed to smooth away the irregularities. The present system of deducting live per cent, from salaries for superannuation allowance does not meet with the approval of tho Government, who proposo to have a special table drawn up by the Insurance Department, under which Civil servants can obtain both life assurance and an annuity. SIR GEORGE GREY. Thore was quite an affecting scene on the end of the Queen-street Wharf on Feb. 26th when the steamer Tarawora took her departure for Sydney, numerous friends and woll-wishera of Sir George Grey having assembled to see him off. Shortly before 5 o'clock, Sir George Grey drove down to tho steamer, accompanied by Mr and Mrs Soymour uoorgo and their eldest daughter. On board the steamer Sir Georgo was met by members of the Liberal Association and many other friends, who wished him a pleasant voyage and speedy return, while telegrams wore received from various parts of the colony conveying similar good wishes. Tho Hon. R. Seddon sent a warmly congratulatory message to Sir George, in wdiich ho expressed a hope that tho sea voyage would prove beneficial, and that he would return to the colony as member for Newton. Sir George expressed himself much gratified at receiving such a kindlymessage fromonewho hadever helped and encouraged him when he had difficulties in Parliament, and eont a suitable reply. The Mayor of Timaru wired : " Good wishes from peop.'e if Timaru, who are delighted at prospect o' your valuable public services being again available." In reply Sir George dictated the following message : "Many thanks to Your Worship and people ot Timaru for your kind telegram. Will try by good service to show my gratitude. Signed G. Grey." Impey's band arrived at 5 o'clock and from that Dime till the departure of tho steamer, played a number of appropriate selections. As the steamer moved off from tho quay three ringing cheors were given for Sir George Grey. Sir George, who was deeply moved by this pleasing demonstration of good feeling towards him leaned over the rail to speak, but he was'only able to say "Good-bye; God bless you all," and b^e steamer went off while'continuous expressions of good wishes for the veteran statesman continued to have utterance from the wharf.

DEPARTMENTAL RETRENCHMENT,

The proposed retrenchment in bhe Public Works and Defence Departments will bo of a somewhat sweeping character, and if approved by the Cabinet will make considerable changes. In the Police Department, the number of police districts is to be lessened, the present ones being amalgamated in sections and sub-districts, being looked after by serThe new districts and tho appoinbmenbs to bhem are : Nelson, Westport and Westland Inspector Acheson ; Auckland and Bay'of Islands, Inspector Broham ; Waikato and East Coasb, Emerson ; Wanganui and Wosb Coast, McGovern ; Wellington and Blenheim, Pardy ; Christchurch and South Canterbury, Pender ; Dunedin, Invercargill and Lakes district, Hickson. The complete.Police Department retirements are : Inspectors Thomson, Wellington ; Kiely, Napier J Mooro, Dunedin ; Thomson, Oamaru ; Qoodall, Westland.

Tho respective compensations are: Thomson, Wellingbon, £800 ; Moore, £700: Kiely, £600; Goodall, £600 ; Thomson, Oamaru, £600 ; Fox, chief clerk, head ollice, £700. Tobal, £4,000. It. is understood that reductions will be made in obher departments of the Civil Service. PUBLIC WORKS. The Public Works retirements are: Blackett, Consulting Engineer, London district. Engineers : Hursthouse, Auckland ; Rawson, Wanganui; Martin, Greymouth ; Wilson, Westport. .lackson, Creighbou, and Price Meek, Swan and Withers, draughtsmen, at Wei; liugbon ; Leonard, draughtsman, Otago ; Inspectors Burnand and Mirfin, Auckland - McGonagle, Wanganui; Keyburne, Wellingbon ; Knox, McMillan, Barclay, and Hunber, Otago ; and Poison, Blenheim. Four inspectors employed at Mount Eden gaol and eighb at Mount Cook prison, and ten clerks in the various parts of tho colony are to be retired. Holmes, at present occupying tho position of District Engineer at Wellington, is to be transferred to replace Martin. The compensation in this department amounts to £1,739. DEFENCE DEPARTMENT. The following are the further particulars of the reductions in the Defence Department :— The following officers are retired : Colonel Humfrey, Under Secretary. Lieutenant-Colonels Butts, Stapp, and Shepherd, commanders of Wellington, Now Plymouth and Auckland districts. Captains Taylor and Morrison, of tho Permanent Militia at Christchurch'.

Colonel Hume, as Inspector of Volun teers.

Drill Inspectors McKay and Castles. Messrs Sewell, Pax ton, and Hacketb, utorekeepers at Wellington, Dunedin, and Lyttelton respectively. Mr Bell, engineer for defences, is also to act as resident enginoerat Wellington. Mr Holmes, bhe presont occupant of the latter position, becomes transferred to Grey mouth. The amount of compensation in this Department will bo £4,000. MINES AND GEOLOGICAL. A paving of about £1,500 a year will probably be efl'octed in the Mines and Geological Department. The geological staff will be brought more under the supervision of tho Minister ot Mines than previous ! y; It is understood the Governmonb has decided on further reductions as follows :— Land Transfer Department: Contingencies 1,000, salaries £1,700. Jusbico Department: Contingencies £5,000. Government Insurance, about £5,000. There will also be reductions in the Nativo Department, but the amount is not calculated. Tho Government aro determined to give notice to the oilicers to be dispensed with beforo making the details public.