PUTTING ON THE SCREW.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7264, 12 October 1891, Page 4

PUTTING ON THE SCREW.

The «Wan«»nui Obron o e,' commentlot upon Mr E. M. Smith, the memtar for New Plymouth, and h.s •ttltade towards the Government, says: • A few month! ago the Government decided that the headquarters of the iadce of the district oourt and of the inspector of polioe for the ooasUl dlstrlet ihoald be transferred to Wan..nol. It wm, and if, obvious v Inooavenient that these officers should be located tt the extreme end or n dUtrict oovering some 200 mites of country. The mailer hav.rg been fnlly considered, the chang* w*h tiecldtdon »»y He Govoruuient, and tlio officer weie «mt acted to remove to W»pg»ou\ Infprcor Patdy, wt know, made due enqu'ry, anJ eeleoted • BmUble reMil*noe, »Dd «u about lo take poeiewon, when the .rder"A8 you where!' c»me fmm Will-ngtoi. Mr E M. Sm'th had hautd o»au»liy of wh.t w*s about to take pl*O", and iho story goei th»t be immedtfttely noufied Mr BalUnoe that he bud bo ter reTersa the order in double quiok time or he (Mr Smith) would at onoe tramfer hie political allegiance to the other aide. What Mr Ballance aid in reply h not reported, but Ioipector Purdy had to gWe up his Wanganui residence and remain in New Plymouth, and nothins more hai been heard of Judge Kettle's removal to the centre of hla district. Mr Smith naturally rejoiood in preventing what be doubtless considered an attempt to deipoil New Plymouth j bat hii success only whetted hit appetite for something more solid, and now he comes home with the substantial gift of L3000 fcr dredging the harbor. Truly Mr BalUnoe nmy be the proverbial distributor of political gifts for this coast, but Mr Smith hne earned the reputation of being the proud and happy receiver thereof.'