PERIPATETIC R.M's.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5669, 31 May 1879, Page 3

PERIPATETIC R.M's.

TO THE EDITOR OV THE MEW Z E.ID.(NI) TIMES. Slli, —It v.'onlil be absurd in mu to attempt to give a reason for anything which our paternal Government pretends to do, so I shall not waste my time or your space in propounding theories to account for the sudden removal of the Wardens or Resident Magistrates on the West Coast, from one district to the other. However, I for one recognise the periodical removal of the gentlemen as a very sound principle, but I would aslt, in the name of reason and common-sense, why the principle should not be carried out on a more extended scale ? Here, in Hokitika, we hive an official clique so banded together as to be positively dangerous to the entire community throughout the country. We have all heard about a “continuous Government,” but here we have a “ continuous clique” which has been and still is a curse to every one who does not bow down and worship the official pluralists and the few interested schemers who influence their actions. Why should there not be a scattering of the official faction of Hokitika ? There are some half dozen individuals who, through a course of years, have been thrown into close official relationship, far removed from the watchful eye of heads "of departments, have systematically been appointed members of the same trusts or bodies where the Government has the right of appointment, continually meeting each other in their too numerous capacities until they think together, act together, and woe-be to the unfortunate mortal who is known to be under the ban of any one item of this despotism. The influence of this clique pervades every department in the country,' and it is notorious that speedy punishment overtakes every one who at- any time ventures to disagree, even in the most respectful manner, with the official autocrats who “ rule the roost.” Whatever fault one of them commits the rest are ready to justify him in his action, and black is made to appear white forthwith. In all our little local politics, from the election of a Mayor even down to an Inspector of Nuisances, the clique interferes, and in ninetynine cases out of a hundred succeed in getting those elected who will be their obedient servants; I ask why, in such a case as.thia, the ’Government should foster such an official menagerie as we are cursed with? It is not that the members of the' clique are charged individually with neglecting their ordinary hours of attendance in their respective offices ; but that they, in banding together for so many years, have become a most dangerous power in the State. In writing this I feel, as do all outside of the pale of the clique, that there is but little chance of redress. If one of the. clique is removed, the remainder take his successor to their bosoms and their reign is continuous. The only cure would be to move away half a dozen at one time, and thus destroy the official nightmare which oppresses us.—l am, &c., Observer.