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Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1451, 5 August 1865, Page 2

The Superintendent v. Watson. — We are glad to hear that not more than. £60,000 is owing to the Government on account of immigrants' bills, and that only a portion of this is endangered by the negligence of the Government. We are also glad to be informed that about six months ago a change was made in the form of the promissory note, and that, for the last three months, no further loss has accrued. From a letter we publish thia day,; it appears that Mr. Travers really did, a* we supposed, point out the mistake into which the Government had fallen with regard to these promissory notes. Now we believe it is at least eighteen months since Mr.Travers occupied the position of Provincial Solicitor. Why, then, was a twelvemonth allowed to elapse before the form of note was altered ? During that time the amount of indebtedness by immigrants must have reached at the lowest £5000, or very probably £10,000. But whatever the amount the Government is morally, if not legally, answerable to the province for every farthing of it, and we trust some independent member of the Council will insist upon an explanation, and a full statement of the amount of public money which has thus been recklessly thrown away after a disti|ls| warning. ■