Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, November 9, 1880.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XI, Issue 574, 9 November 1880, Page 4

Cromwell Argus. AND NORTHERN GOLD-FIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, November 9, 1880.

A correspondent whose letter anent the late meeting at Blacks appeared in our last issue seems to have hit upon an idea regarding official work in centres of limited population that strikes us as worthy of some consideration in the present times of retrenchment and reduction of civil servants. On the Goldfields especially we think the Government might wisely, and with much advantage to the public, utilize as far as possible the officers already stationed at these small places. For example, the local Constable might very well see after the granting of miners' rights, and such like, receiving a certain per centage for all such rights granted. At the present time there may often be parties (Chinese for example) who would take out miners' rights if they could get them conveniently ; but not being near the precise locality where they are to be got on the day appointed, they just go without, and the revenue therefore suffers. We feel convinced that were such facilities offered by the permanent appointment of an officer for this purpose in each court district the revenue would be considerably added to in these places, and an impetus would be given to one of our most profitable industries. In small places too the court duties might be undertaken by the same official. Then again, our post-offices might very well be made sub land offices where applications for purchase of land, agricultural and mining leases, etc., could be made by the population in the vicinity. This would be a direct and convenient method, and we feel sure would give satisfaction to the public, besides giving facilities for settlement on the land ; all this could very well be done with the strictest economy by a small addition to the salaries of these resident officials. At the present time their duties do not occupy all their time, and they would always be at hand to meet the wants of the public. We respectfully submit these suggestions to the Minister of Justice and the heads of other departments concerned. They have already at hand in all these little centres either a constable or a post-master, or both, between whom the duties might very well be divided with much satisfaction to the public and economy to the Government. Of course in the larger centres a resident clerk of the court would very likely be required ; but the Government have a good organisation already made whereby their work can be done in small places.