CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS.—NATIVE BRANCH.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2808, 26 July 1866, Page 4

CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS.— NATIVE BRANCH.

To the Editor of the Daily Sotjthehn Cross. Sir, — The announcement, in your issue of the 23rd instant, of the examinations about to take place among the employes of- H.M. Customs in Auckland, very properly] suggests ,the inquiry as to whether any examinations are to be carried out in the case of 4 ofncers holding appointments'in the other departments of the Government. The inquiry is not without interest, and is, in other respects, attended with grave considerations, taken in connection with the Native Department, which has already cost the country so much, and which has moreover been so prolific of blunders and disaster to the colony, as well as detrimental to the interests of both races. If that mist which covers the sayings and doings of the Native Department could be removed, an amount of incapacity would be revealed of which thelpublic at this moment have but little conception. When William King, in his characteristic reply, admitted the ownership of his friend Teira to the land at Waitara but qualified that claim as "one

inseparable with Ins own, and th.it of Ins people, ' a, mere tyro in .Maou etymology might have foretold the issue of the event. 'J he sequel of the story is still fiesh m your memory. You are also, no doubt, familiar with the fact that in our Indian empire a knowledge of the different dialects paves the way to preferinentjiu both the military and civil brandies of the Government ; and if such were the ease in th«s country, much of the r chaos and confusion that still exist in our intercourse with the Maoii people might be done away. Hoping that, in this age of progress and reform, this very important subject may find favour with tho Government and the public, assisted by your own enlightened opinions,— l am, &c, Linguist. June 28, 1866.