DIARY OF A COLONIAL MINISTER [?]

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6533, 3 February 1882, Page 5

DIARY OF A COLONIAL MINISTER [?]

TO THE BDITOE. Sib,—On Wednesday evening last I was a passenger by a train coming from Spring* field. On proceeding to remove some small packages of my own from the rack overhead, where such things are usually placed, I found amongst them a number of the Lyitelton Times. Thinking that it was one which I had bought for perusal on the journey, and desirous of preserving it on account of the leaders which I consider to be the most—[We excise some of our correspondent's absurd remarks. Ed. L.T.']— l put it in my pocket. On examining it at home, I found it contained a manuscript, which, from internal evidence, I believe to be the diary of the Hon W. B—llest—n during his late visit to the West Coast of this Island. I have no doubt that you will be glad to insert it. —I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, • A. 8. SYMPLETON.

Mudflat, Jan. 27. P.B. —I suppose you will remunerate the person who Bends you the enclosed. Would a cheque for ten guineas be about the right thing ?—A. S. 8. [Our correspondent is entirely mistaken as to the mode in which this paper is conducted if he thinks that we would surreptitiously obtain possession of the private papers of a political opponent, and publish them. "From, internal evidence" we are convinced that the diary enclosed is not that of the Hon W. E—llest —n, as Mr Bympleton absurdly styles him.' Evidently either our correspondent has been hoaxed himself, or is — horribile dictw, trying to hoax «*. In either case, we think the most appropriate punishment will be to publish the document, assuring our correspondent that he need expeot no cheque.—Ed. L.T.~\

Jan. 4—Arrived at Nelson. Delightful to get away from Wellington. We are now outside the Boulder Bank, waiting for the tide. Charming place Nelson ! oharming people there too! Never seem to want anything, never seem to do anything; live in a bower of roses all the year round, in the most beautiful part of New Zealand, with a perfeot climate. Awfully selfish though, for they keep a stock of typhoid fever alwayß on hand to frighten away strangers, though they are impervious to it themselves. And the girls, too; without exception the loveliest in New Zealand! Hey beat even the Canterbury belles—would not do to say this though down at Ohristchuroh. Thank Heaven, there will be no deputations here; no representations to the Minister about this, that, and the other. We get enough of that in the session. Besides, the NeUonians have their railway down to the port, two trains'a day; no passengers j no freight; a railway right into the middle of the bush—what more can they want ? House, Nelson. Midnight. Got rid of them at last. Club shuts at twelve—at least steward goes to bed—no more refreshments to be had after that hour. Played whist till I was nearly blind. By jove, what whistees they are here! Do nothing else, I fancy. Interrupted several times—people wanting to see me. Everybody has some friend in the Civil Service; everybody wants somebody to have a move up, or a change to some other place. Seem to think here that New Zealand was colonised to provide billets for Nelson settlers' sons. Same thing up in Auckland, and all over North Island. Should like to tell them the plain truth for once in a way: that Canterbury and Otago are the only really independent and paying parts of the Colony, and the only parts worth preserving. But it would not do. Obliged to be oivtt; most painful trial for me. Things look too queer—too many "independents." Must try and win some of them round, or the Ministry will have to go. Don't think Hall quite the man for Premier—wants a man of more deoision and energy, with a good political programme. Hall too muoh inclined to lord Melbourne's policy of letting things slide. I like this plaae; no bagmen here; dined at the table d'Adte; landlady asked me whether I would like my dinner in a private room. Deoidedly not; like to mix with my felloworeatures. Eating alone horrid, and besides one pioks up fresh ideas by mixing with the kind of sooiety one meets here. Heaps of the latter. Man here desoribed the Government of New Zealand as "anarchy tempered by telegrams." Bather smart that for Nelson. Telegram from the Governor's private sec, reminding me that I did not send in that memo about Native lands and confiscated territory which H. E. wanted for transmission to the Secretary of State. Knollys, who is always civil, says, "Nodoubt you have forgotten it in the hurry of departure for the West Coast." Oh! no doubt! Hall may do it, or Whitakor—it's more of a legal affair, or an illegal one, than pertaining to the Department of Lands. Telegraphed my extremo regrets, &c, that I had not the necessary doouments with me, but had asked the Premier to seo about it. How the simplicity of my nature is becoming perverted by offloe! . . „ . ~ , Jan. 6.—Still here, and not at all mohned to move. This plaee makes one lazy. Don't wonder at its being called Sleepy Hollow. 10 p.m. Wont this afternoon on horseback to see some oupriferous land in the Maitai Valley. If auriferous, why not oupriferous ? Track simply dreadful—in the bed of the river part of the way. Some nice land here certainly—waste lands of the Crown and no mistake— why a man can hardly stand upright on some of the hillsides. Plenty of copper ore; why don't those lazy beggars make some use of it P Jan. B.—Arrived at Lyell by road, and a very bad road, too. Nearly shaken to pieces. Very jolly on the road; stopped a day about mid-way; explored neighbourhood on horsebaok. Played whist in the evening; partner first rubber led queen .from aoe, king, queen, and two small ones! Trumped his queen;

served him right; and then the man says ha plays whist! Arrived here about 8 p.m.} found a heap of telegrams and letters waiting for me—papers for signature, &c. Telegram from Hall in No. 3 cypher. Haven't got the key to No. 3; must be something special. Get telegraphist to rirg up nearest station where any Press work was going on, to telegraph to Hall. Got reply: "Mr Hall gone on a visit to Sir George Grey at Kawau." Now what does this mean P Is H. going in for a coalition ?

Deputation to know when I could receive deputations of School Committee, local mem' bers of Oonnty Council, inhabitants generally (thank heaven they have no Municipal Corporation here). From directors of the principal mines, asking me to pay them a visit. Told them that the whole of tomorrow would be at their service.

Jan. 9—Up at six ; took bath in the Buller, cold but invigorating; feel equal to tackling Grey himself. Breakfasted at seven; deputation to conduct me to mines at eight; signed about a hundred documents in the interval. What an absurdity this system is; did not read one of them. Virited a mine about three miles off; went up an incline on a tramway j wondered what condition rope was inj put on oilskins and went into mine; wandered about under the guidance of managers, could understand nothing; had to crawl on hands and knees; nearly stuck fast two or three times ; getting too stout for this sort of thing; came out after an hour and ahalf's wanderings very wet, dirty and tired. Got back to hotel, had a bath. Found a profusely apologetio telegram awaiting me from station to which the operator here telegraphed, saying that they did not believe I was at Lyell, and as the message arrived after hours thought it was a joke of JLyeil operator, hoped I would not report them. Beplied that I would overtook it this time, but that the Government telegraph was not to be made a vehicle for private facetiousness. Hall's cypher message turns out to be asking me whether I would like a case of really good claret sent down to me at Westport, as he don't think I shall be able to get any good wine on the Coast.. Beplied that I should like it very much, but that it would not dowould offend all the pubs on the Coast. Local deputation asking for sundry tracks and bridges. Told them I was not Minister for Public Works, but thaS I would make a note of their wishes and lay them before my colleagues in Cabinet. Expressed great admiration for the energj and enterprise already displayed in conveying machinery up mountain sides, and doing so much good work under such difficulties, and urged upon them to continue in the eamo course of selfreliant action, and assured them that they were an example to the Colony generally. Said it was the duty of the General Government to see to the execution of those larger works, such as main roads, which might be considered as Colonial undertakings, and that private enterprise, of which they had shown such an admirable example, ought to execute purely local works. Deputation looked pleased, but puzzled. Another deputation from the County Council asking for Government help in maintaining and bridging main roads. Beplied that such works were undoubtedly within the province of the Government, but, unfortunately, the Government had very little money. Could not pledge my colleagues, but would make a note of their requests and lay them before Cabinet.

Trotted out to see new school, additions to Eesident Magistrate's Court, &c. Curiouß place Lyell. Ho parsons, no doctors, and no J.P.'s. Astonished at hearing there were no J.P.'s. Asked local man how it was. He said they were all honest hard-working men at Lyell, and they didn't want no J.P.'s among them. Ambiguous compliment to the J P.'s. Asked to drink during the day by about thirty-five persons. Drank lemonade. Stomach aohe.

Jan. 10.—Started early for Eeefton. Nearly drowned at Junction. Must have bridge put there. Telegraphed from Eeefton to have it put in hand immediately. Deputation on the road from inhabitants of Dead Man's Gully asking for bridge over Drowned Pig Creek. Expressed my opinion of the importance of the work, but told them that looal works should be executed by private enterprise or by local bodies, and that the general Government should devote itself to the making and perfecting of main roads, &c. Promised to lay the matter before Cabinet. Deputation from County Council met me on the road. Chairman introduced himself, then the other members, then the Clerk, then the Surveyor, then the Mayor and Corporation of Eeefton. Quite a procession. At Eeefton more deputations—Education Board, School Committee, Eoad Board, &c, &c. Everybody here seems to be in office. More mines to inspect. Shall I ever survive this ? Will resign portfolio as soon as I return j requires a younger and thinner man. More telegrams; more letters! Public dinner to-morrow. Sent for doctor and got a oertificate that I was suffering from podagra chronica, and must not drink anything bat water.

Jan. 12.—Westport. Deputations as usual j inspected coal mines. Went up a tramway inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees. Asked what would be the consequence if the rope broke. Facetious man in tramcar, said that there would be a public funeral of whatever little bits might be picked up. Glad to get out; walked down; nearly shaken to pieces; will certainly resign. Another public dinner. Responding to the toast of my health, told them that there could be no more important duty of the Government than to develop and encourage such valuable industries as coal-mining. That they had the best harbour on the West Coast, and that I trusted they would be self-reliant, as the Government with the best will in the world to help them, had, unfortunately, very little money. Spoke of the heavy burden "of the Colonial debt. Spoke of myself as only a unit in the Ministry, as quite unable to pledge my colleagues, and in short gave them the impression that I was a very humble and insignificant member of the Ministry, in which I am sure Hall and Atkinson will agree with me.

After Westport went down tbe whole ooast as far as Boss. Could not keep up this diary, had too many deputations "to contend with," as the Mayor of Hoka said. Visited innumerable mines, claims, and water-races. Deputations from all the public bodies, private visits from officials, telegrams and letters from Wellington, public dinners, private lunoheons,, visits to hospitals, gaols and lunatic asylums, until I feel that I should become a lunatic myßelf if this went on much longer. Telegraphed to Hall in cypher to send an urgent telegram for my return. Found it waiting for me at Hokitika. Very shabby lunoheon there after working hard till 4 p;m. Nothing but wine, fruit and cakes. Did they take me for a child P Told all the deputations the same thing: promised nothing. Should think Atkinson will be pleased if anything Ido can please him. They certainly will not lose anything hero for want of asking: they aßked for railroads, bridges, diamond drills, roads, water-races, grants to Education Boards, rating of Crowi> Lands, remission of gold duty, lowering of payment for miners' rights, subsidies to local institutions, subsidies to municipal bodies, subsidies to County Counoili. Wonder they didn't ask for subsidies for every child born on the Ooast—no need for any immigration here. Everybody seoras in some office or other; only talked with one man who was not, and he turned out to be a commercial traveller i from Dunedin. Offered to make him a J.P., butheindignantly refused, saying that his firm were very particular about the character of those they employed. Altogether well pleased with journey. In spite of fatigue and publio dinners and deputations have increased nearly a stone in weight. Have promised nothing, and committed Ministry to nothing. Have been civil to everybody, and quarrelled with nobody, The latter assertion astonishes myself, but it is strictly true. Per contra, feel myself demoralised ; that frank and plain-spoken sincerity whioh formerly distinguished me is gradually disappearing. I have grown cunning in bafflinpr deputations, and the retir nj modesty of my disposition has been impaired by the publicity of my life. The bloom of the peaoh has gone. Non sum qualis eram.~ But, on the whole, I think I was a mttoh for everybody.