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The agitation in the Grey Valley against the proposed removal of the Warden and Resident Magistrate of the Grey Valley District is extending, and will be taken up in every mining centre in the district. In continuation of the remarks we made on this subject a few days ago, there is another matter to which we wish specially to refer. The statement of Mr O'Conor that the agitation was fomented by a few individuals he is no doubt by this time convinced was incorrect. A few perssons at Ahaura could hot influence the whole of the residents of Half-Ounce, Nelson Creek, Moonlight Creek; and the other districts, and stimulate them to take the almost^ simultaneous action they have on the question of the abolition of the War-

den's office. Every individual in the community feels that he would have a personal grievance if such a sweeping alteration were carried into effect, find the proposal to amalgamate the districts of the Inangahua and Grey Valley under one Warden would be very little loss objectionable. Unifications of this sort have been tried repeatedly, and have always been egregious failures when the plan came to be examined from an economical point of view. In this particular case there would not only not be a saving in the public expenditure, but there would be a direct increase in the cost of administering justice, while the indirect loss to the public in the difficulties and delays in obtaining a settlement of disputes could hardly be estimated. The increased allowance for travelling expenses, forage, &c, to the Warden who would have charge of the two already extensive districts, would go far to make up the salary of the officer dispensed with, while the waste of efficiency entailed upon the public by having the Warden flying on horseback about the country like a Camanche Indian, or like Mr O'Conor when he is in his " element," would be all. but incalculable. A Warden or Magistrate on horseback is about the least useful article in the category of material substance, for when in that position he is not performing any of the functions for which he is intended. Therefore the more time he is compelled to spend as an equestrian, accomplished and ornamented as he may be as such, the less time he has to devote to the duties proper to his official position. And in proportion to the obstacles thrown in the way of a proper performance of these duties, so in the same ratio the public suffers by being deprived of the advantages of an exercise of the abilities of a public servant of this class, and no monetary consideration can be set down as a fair equivalent for the public injury inflicted. The Executive Council may consider that a reduction in the salaries of the Wardens would be infra dig., not only as regards those officers themselves, but having in view the good name of the Province. It has very lately come to the tarn of some of the Nelson Provincial magnates to have such a tender regard for the honor of the Province. Instead of talking so glibly and contemptuously about " cheap justice," it would be as well to consider that " cheapness " is altogether a relative attribute, and must be regarded entirely by the light of cirenmstances. A salary that would be considered barely adequate to support the social standing Magistrates would be expected to assume ten years ago would be a liberal stipend now, for the expense of maintaining even an important official position is very materially lessened. Governors of Colonies and even Judges of Supreme Courts have consented to, and in some instances have proposed diminutions in their own remuneration, when it was shown the revenues required such reduction, and their own circumstances warranted their acceptance of the diminished allowance. It is consequently no disgrace to the Province that its responsible officers should be requested to accept smaller payments, and it will not be imposing any indignity on these officials if they consent to undertake the duties they now so efficiently perform for the lowered remuneration, seeing that the altered circumstances of the Province make it necessary that sacrifices must be made. The principle of unification of offices, and conservation of salaries in rer ducing expenditure, is a good one in genera], but it is impracticable in the present instance, and will only lead to public dissatisfaction. If it be absolutely necessary tb economise, let the Government offer the Wardens reduced salaries, and let the saving be effected on the same principle all round, so long as the efficiency of the public service is not impaired. However, the expression of opinion just given in the Grey Valley should convince the Government that it would be unwise "to set up its back" against the wishes of the people iv this matter; and it is not because Mr O'Conor may deprecate what he calls " agitation" (and nobody knows the value of agitation better than himself) the movement will not be allowed to rest at its present stage, for the importance of the district requires that attention should be paid to the unanimously expressed desire of its inhabitants, and if the Provincial Executive should persist in carrying out its intention, or, to put it plainly, " running its head against the wall" of public opinion, the people will seek relief ekewhere.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GRA18740618.2.9

Bibliographic details

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1831, 18 June 1874, Page 2

Word Count
894

Untitled Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1831, 18 June 1874, Page 2

Untitled Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1831, 18 June 1874, Page 2

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