Evening Post. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1886.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 191, 30 December 1886, Page 2

Evening Post. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1886.

THE NRW ZEALAND TIMES AND PLURALITY OF OFFICES. _ + Tlio New Zealand Times again assorts " that for one man to discbarge efficiently the duties both of Inspector of Nuisances and Believing Officer for a city so larirc, scattered, and populous as is Wellington now is simply impossible." It does not adduce an iota of proof in support of its opinion, but has the audacity to declare that those who do not agree with it cannot possess any acquaintance with the subject, or are incapable of forming an intelligent opinion on it. This is certainly complimentary to the members of the City Council and the Benevolent Society, who, we may assume, believe that Mr. Johnson can, and does, disoharge tho duties of the two offices efficiently, or they would not retain him in them. The opinion of the Now Zealand Times on this subject may be taken for what it is worth. No one in Wellington attaches much value to its opinion on any subject. What is wanted, howover, is not assertion, but proof as to the impossibility alleged. This proof our contemporary carefully avoids attempting to givo. It cannot allogo a single caso of neglect of duty against Mr. Johnson in either of his public capacities. We ore not aware of any charges of the kind having been mado against him to cither of the public bodies which ho serves. Every day Mr. Johnson does efficiently! so far as can be seen, what the New Zealand Times declares to be imSossible. It certainly appears to us that le duties of the two offices ore not only compatible but that thero are many advantages in their being held by one person. It is in the poorer parts of the town that nuisances and distress are both most likely to be 'found, and we may. be sura that when seeking oat the sick and needy Mr. Johnson

has a sharp eye to their sanitary surroundings, and that when investigating nuisances he is ever on the alert as to the necessity for affording relief to those requiring it who may live in unsavoury quarters. Iftheofficeswere separated , two men wonld have to practically traverse the Fame ground, and it is very doubtful whether the two would be able to perform the work as well as the ono now docs. The information gained in one capacity must frequently prove or the greatest value in the other. If Mr. Johnson is overworked, but we have not heard of hiß complaining on this score, it would bo far better to appoint an assistant than to divorce the offices he holds and create two independent officers. In the meantime there ib, as we have said, no proof that he is overworked, or neglects any portion of his duty, and until such proof is adduced the opinions of the New Zealand Times can be treated with the same contempt that its transparent attempts to damn with faint praise and to undermine the position of a public officer by repeated vague and cowardly insinuations, must be generally regarded by right-thinking men.