WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1342, 18 August 1877, Page 6

WELLINGTON.

August 2nd. The second week of the session has been almost as quiet as the first one, but as the financial policy of the Government is now before the House, and, with one exception, all the members are here, the period of quiet trill speedily cease, and things are likely to become very lively indeed before long. In fact I expect rather a long and stormy session. The Financial Statement, while generally admitted to be clear, and, so far as the condition of the revenue goes, more satisfactory than was.hoped for or expected, certainly rioes not give anything like satisfaction in regard to the policy which it indicates for the future. The Government is blamed fcr want of boldness in regard to the land fund proposals, which, however, deceive no one ; the suggestion of fhrse alternative courses in regard to borrowing is regarded rather as a novelty, and the pathetic cry for rest and repose with which the statement ended, may not improbably ere long be gratified, as far as the members of the Government are concerned, in a manner not contemplated by them in making it. I do not know that I can add anything to what I telegraphed last night as to the views held by the Otago and Canterbury members. It is evident that they are greatly dissatisfied, and I think the declaration of the Government policy will have the effect very speedily of forming a real Opposition. The great want is a fit leader. The debate on the second reading of the Charitable Institutions Bill, after two adjournments, came to an end last night, when the second reading was carried by a large majority. The debate was a very dull one, and few speakers seemed fully to realise the importance of the subject. It is wonderful how quick the Government is to seize on any excuse for exercising patronage. The Railway Commission which sat in Christchurch and Dunedin a short time ago, recommended the appointment of some travelling in spectors, who should act for both the Audit and Stores departments. The Government have most readily accepted the suggestion. The duties of a Travelling Inspector, who would have to constantly inspect & variety of complicated accounts, balance them, check fctores, &c, might naturally be supposed sufficiently onerous and important to require the services of experienced men. No doubt they will be constantly appealed to for advice, and in certain cases may have to assume a very serious responsibility where they find irregularities or defalcations. All that Ministers seem to have thought of has been that here was their opportunity of providing for five friends, aad so Mr Omond, as Minister of Public Works, disregarding all which might in this case literally be said about nepotism, appointed a nephew of bis own a3 one of the inspectors, and another is

a former member of the constabulary who shipped in the Ocean Mail as carpenter's mate, and when that vessel was ■wrecked, and a special constable was required to bring the perjury prisoners to Wellington, undertook that job and executed it, being almost immediately after, wai da appointed a "brander" under Colonel Gorton. The other three Inspectors are young men who are now here being taught something about accounts. The Inspectors are, I believe, to receive L 250 a-year, and 10s a day travelling expenses. Another amusing case or two of how patronage ia dispensed have recently occurred. In one case a Minister insisted on the head of a department making room for another clerk, although the Head assorted he did not want one. A young man, however, who is lucky enough to be a distant relative to a Duchess had to be provided for, and without Civil Service examination or anything else, he was appointed, at a salary higher than that of many of the clerks who have been years in the department. The other case is that of another gentlemen with influential friends, who was added to the Civil Servke as accountant in an important department, at L3OO a year, and who, after his appointment, ap plied to a friend in another office to show him how to work fractions. This is the way the Civil Service is reformed, and retrenchment effected by the present Ministry. The rumour about Mr Stafford being likely to supersede Sir Julius Vogel as Agent-Gen-eral, seems to have some foundation in truth. It is known that Mr Stafford intends to go Home at the end of the session, and a number of Canterbury members openly avow their wish to see him acting a3 the London representative of the Colony, us well as their desire to see Sir Julius Vogel out of that position. The latter's present engagement terminates in December, but a large number of members wish to see the office done away with altogether, while a still larger number would infinitely prefer Sir Julius Vogel to the member for Timaru, as the Agent-General, if such an office is to be maintained.