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New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4813, 20 April 1877, Page 2

It will be observed from the passenger list of the Wanaka, which left Wellington i yesterday, that we are about to be visited by two gentlemen whose absence from important duties here has caused much public inconvenience, and has been, as we think, a hindrance to the advancement of the province of Auckland. • The Engineer-in-Chief has frequently been wanted to facilitate the public works, but the Ministers, when deputationised, always said that so-and-so would be looked after when Mr. Carruthers arrived. The excuse for his non-appearance wa3 that he was bu3ily engaged taking over the Southern railways. We have looked for Mr. OrmonA ever since he joined the Ministry and it was announced that he had taken complete control over the Native Land Purchase Department, with the full intention of cleansing that worst of all the Government Augean- stables. Nearly all the present Ministers have deplored the evils resulting from the land purchase system, but the present Native M : nister has always not only repudiated responsibility, but declared that he would not meddle in . any way with the Land Department," which was under the entire control of Mr. Ormond. So far as the public can see, no progress has been m.ide under Mr. Ormond's rule. He is now, we presume', about to commonce the" cleansing process. In respect to the Thames, there may be particular blocks which cannot bo settled at present; but wo are convinced that if Mr.* Ormond examines into the details, and •is content to spend some time here, instead of paying merelya flying Visit to the province of Auckland, lie will be, able to {hand over to the Waste Lands Board for settlement much valuable land. After all, we may be too sanguine in anticipating a visit from Mr. Ormond. The steamer touches at Napier, and he may be taking a trip home on a holiday from his duties at Wellington. We can hardly anticipate, however, that he will continue to remain absent from what ought to be to him the most important district in the Colony.