COLONEL THIMBLE'S APPOINTMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8643, 2 December 1889, Page 3

COLONEL THIMBLE'S APPOINTMENT.

[from the "timarc herald."] The New Zealand Gazette of the 21st November contained the notification of the appointment of " Robert Trimble, Esq., as a Judge of the Native Land Court." An announcement of that character is not generally of much interest to dwellers in this part of the colony where there are no native land titles to be determined. The average newspaper reader in South Canterbury would take it for granted that another Judge was required, and that the Government had made the best selection that was open to them. But it happens that there are circumstances connected with Colonel Trimble's appointment which impart to it a somewhat wider interest than usual. He has not been allowed to settle down to hia work without being traduced, and as he is an old and honoured public servant, who has done the State some service, it is only right that those who have made it their business to malign him should be answered.

The Evenim Post, in an article under the heading "An improper appointment," says :— " The job which we announced some time ago to be in contemplation has now been perpetrated, and Mr Robert Trimble is gazetted a Judge of the Native Land Court. For some mysterious reason, this gentleman seem 3to have established a claim on the colony to provide a comfortable billet for him. What his public services have been may be represented by a blank page. It has been a great difficulty for the Government to know what to give him. He was offered the position of Sergeant atArms, but it was not good enough. Then he waa tempted with a seat in the Legislative Council, but the honorarium is small and the expenses heavy. Now, as a final provision, he is foisted on the Native Land Court bench, a position for which he does not possess one single qualification, although endowed with certain attributes which should be regarded as very grave disqualifications for a judgeship. He is not a Maori scholar, and knows neither the language, the customs, nor the traditions of the native race. His conduct while chairman of the Native Affairs Committee in the House for a time, was not such as to inspire confidence in him in the native mind. No one who has watched his political career can credit him with the possession of what is known as a judicial mind. His whole temperament is that of a thorough-going unreasoning partizan, who, having taken a aide, can make no allowance for those ■who differ from him. It is not of such material that a good judge is made. The Government have reason to be ashamed of the appointment." It would have buon difficult to cram more malicious falsehood into the linos which wo have quoted. It is not true that Colonel Trimble's public services are represented by a blank page. During the time that he held a seat in the House of Eepresentatives he proved himself one of the most useful, intelligent, and industrious members. He was a foremost man in the party to which he attached himself. Ho was recognised as tin authority on questions relating to the Maoris, and for that reason was appointed chairman of the Native Affairs Committee. In that position he was an indefatigable worker, and gave the highest satisfaction. He is not a Maori scholar, as the term would be applied to Archdeacon Williams or Mr Colenno, but it is | untrue to say that he in ignorant of the language, the customs,* and the traditions of the native race. He is fairly acquainted with all three, and in well known and highly respected by the Maoris. And then as to the "judicial mind." No one who has watched his political career will hesitate to admit that he is a good party man, and he certainly ought not to be thought the worse of on that account. It would have been a capital thing for the colony if Sir Hurry Atkinson had been half w true to bib party an Colonel TrimWe w&b, The first roquißito for a wrty mn wdv Qonttitutionul g<mrnm«ns

is not a judicial mind but tf.ie faculty of v«ting straight. Government by parties cannot bo successfully earned out on any other lines, and until the entire system is changed, tho straight voters should bo honored, and not taunted with the want of a "judicial mind." But it is nevertheless a fact that this gentleman, whom the Evening Post for some reason or other has seen fit to attack and make little of, has the qualification of a judicial mind in an eminent degree. He is a shrewd level-headed man, and his speeches on general questions in the House shewed keen reasoning powers and a, love of fairplay and straightforward dealing. Taking all the facts into consideration we have no hesitation in saying that the Government acted rightly and wisely in appointing Colonel Trimble to a Judgeship of the Native Land Court. He understands the business, is thoroughly trusted both by Natives and Europeans, and is absolutely certain to give his whole mind to his work and to do justice to the very best of his ability. Is it necessary to raise the ques1 tion whether the fact of Colonel Trimble having been a member of the Whitaker-Atkinson party in years gone by, should have been a bar to his _ appointment ? If an answer is required, we must say — " Certainly not." The essential point is not what were or are his politics, but whether he is fitted for the post. In our judgment ho is fully qualified in all respects ; but we go further and contend, on the general question, that, other things being equal, friendship even in politics should count for something, and that a Government is justified in providing for a staunch adherent, on a fair occasion, in preference to turning aside and bestowing patronage on an opponent. If that is what the Evening I'ost calls a job, we pronounce it a very good job, and certainly nothing to be ashamed of.