FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15767, 16 November 1914, Page 11

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

VtfASTE LAND COMMISSIONER

COUNCIL REFUSES A SALARY.

(from the Hktialij of November IG, 1864.) Risen the vote of tho Provincial Council which took plneo a week ago, refusing to lace one sixpence on the estimates for tho alary of a waste lands commissioner, we have been induced to look up the Waste rands Act to ascertain how the commissioner is appointed and what are his particular duties. We find that it is definitely* staled that there shall be a waste lands commissioner, that he shall be appointed ''. v the Superintendent, and that tlio duties of this officer, more especially when taken in conjunction with those of the Crown Lands Commissioner— B nd it '-1 provided th;it. the two should be held by the same personcannot be efficiently peii'Tiiietl Ly the Provincial SecrctflrV " So wonder that Messrs. Dulby anil peilen. aiiim:iti"l as both no doubt were (, v the siiiii'* desire to do their duty to the public, declared that it was impassible. a:d ini \ >edient, too, that all t (, M c nlfi'es should bo held by one nod (he same person. The council itself endorsed this npniiici and put its opinion on rev:.! in ''' form of a resolution. Here "'"* a recognition of a principle by the conned. Another session conies round. Th<> Superintendent, acting on the resolute nt the Provincial Council, makes a f i|i,irMe appointment of tho waste lands commissioner, adding to it, bye the-bye, ti;<> rattier onerous duties of relieving officer for the sic k and destitute, and tho council •''• once stultify their twicerepealed opinion that it shnuld be held fcparately from the office of Provincial Secretary, by refusing to vote the salary, thus rendering it necessary to again, aniaL'.wnale the office with .1. laid one. Wo should like to know on what grounds the o'unrd thin stultify themselves and f( .,>l ; jr. cause that to continue, winch, according to the r own showing of a former .fssion i? neither right nor expedient to he dor.e. Not one. reason was assigned k-liv the salary of a waste lands commi(i.«io:j.T shall no! lie voted. The Oppont. .a ; imply refused to do so.