The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17, 1866.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 842, 17 January 1866, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 17, 1866.

Public attention has of late been, pretty generally directed to an official scandal of a singularly flagrant nature. We allude to the case of Mr Hardy and the Canada Reef affair; and we call it an “ official scandal” because it is a scandal to the service of which Mr Hardy is unfortunately still a member. The particulars of this case are too well known to render any repetition of the details necessary. Suffice it to say that Mr Hardy—Commissioner of Roads and Deviations—became acquainted with tbe precise locality of the newly discovered Canada Reef, and after a visit to the spot (during which lie impressed the prospectors with the idea that he was present officially, and would use his position to advance their interests) hurried to Dunedin, and disclosed the information thus acquired —not to the Government , whose servant he teas —but to a private friend—Mr Howorth. The land was open for sale, and Mr Kowortli thereupon put in an application for its purchase —an application which, we rejoice to learn, has this week been unconditionally refused by ' the Waste Land Board. Mr Howorth, or Mr Hardy—for it seems doubtful whether the former was anything more than the nominal applicant—has therefore failed in his object. But the intent was the same, namely, to deprive the discoverers of the Reef of their claims under the Goldfields’ Act, and the fruits of their industry. Partially. however, Mr Hardy appears to have been successful, for he acquired a title to the freehold of the adjacent laud through which the reef is supposed to extend. Such being the circumstances, is it surprising that the public are anxious to know what steps the Government are taking in the matter ? Is it not rather more surprising that the Government have not long since taken decisive action herein r The Report of the Select Committee was adopted in the provincial Council on the 20 th D ecember, and it has therefore been in the hands of the Executive for nearly a month ; yet apparently nothing has been done. Mr Hardy goes about ,his official duties as usual, and advertises for sale the land thus acquired (which he averred before tlie Committee he only required “ to v.amplete his farm,’ ) boldly announcing in ■ oi small caps” that it r. onta'us “ Ax Ex-

TENSIVE AND VaITJABLE Q.EAKTZ REEF, AND lABGE MASSES OF AuEIFEROt'S Soil.” He is still Commissioner of Roads and Deviations, and when next he becomes acquainted ' with the locality of valuable public property on Crown Lands he may probably again get a dummy applicant to apply for it. Yet on the third of this month Mr Moss declared, in his place in the Council, that “as to Mr Hardy, no time was last in referring to him the Report of the Select Committee, and until a reply was received, it was impossible that any action could be taken.” We are at a loss to understand the logic of this. What can Mr Hardy reply more than he has already done? He has been fairly tried, heard in his defence, and found guilty by an impartial and honorable tribunal. Indeed, his own evidence is quite sufficient to warrant his dismissal from the employ of the Government of which he has proved himself to be an unfaithful and untrustworthy servant. And still the Government make no sign ! Has no reply yet been received ? Has “no time been lost” in dealing with this matter ? AVe aver, and every unprejudiced member of the community will agree with us, that the delay which has already been permitted to occur is a reproach to the Executive ; and we warn them that they will be held answerable for the demoralization of the public service which must inevitably occur, unless it be promptly purged from this disreputable stain.