The Star. MONDAY, MAY 3, 1869.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 302, 3 May 1869, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, MAY 3, 1869.

The Provincial Government intend to bring in a bill during the approaching session of the Council — opening on Friday next — which proposes to reduce the number of Provincial Councillors from thirty-nine to twenty-five. The Press is in ecstacies over the bill ; indeed, one naturally comes to the conclusion that the parent of the bill and the writer of the article in its praise, in this morning's Press, are ono and the same; for we venture to say that few but a fond parent could discover so much that is beautiful in a measure suggesting no end of serious objections. However, we do not, on the present occasion, intend to discuss the bill it- elf. We shall take au opportunity of doiug so when the proper time arrives. The Press regards the proposed bill ns " a further important instalment of " the reform commenced so vigorously " a year ago." The reforms commenced a year ago were, says the Press, " directed only to such a decrease of " the ordinary expenditure of the pro " viuce as could be effected by a reduc- <: tion of salaries, the dismissal of " superfluous officials, and generally " by a strict attention to economy in " departmental administration."- This, we believe, will be news to most people. It is true that a vigorous reform was begun, but it is also true that, it did not proceed very far, and we are at a loss to know why the Executiveshcmld " fully deserve the credit they acquired <" for: their, determination, in carrying " out a disagreeable though., necessary '" cuity." ~We arc- not awape that- they have acquired any particular credit, and we certainly think they don't deserve it in any very eminent degree.

Will the Press tell the public what superfluous officials have been dismissed sinee — well, since Mr Ifcolleston was elected Superintendent? That will be goiug back far enough. "We can tell the Press of at least two appointments that have been made since then. There may be others, but the Secretary for railways and the Steward of educational reserves are notable instances, because the public are inclined to believe that neither was necessary. Take the latter appoiutment, for instance. On what. grounds can it be defended? If it was necessary that some special provision should be made for the management of the educational reserves, surely ifc might have been arranged so as to fall within the province of the waste lands department. The public know well enough that the land sales have dwindled away to almost nothing, and they wonder what the officials iv the waste lands department find to do. The Secretaryship for railways must, we fear, be classed as one of those appointments which are made with the express object of being conferred on some particular person, and the same remark is applicable to the Steward ship of the educational reserves. ■-.••■ It is commonly believed that there is nothing iv a name. Sbakspeare is rather contradictory on the subject. At one time he leads us to believe that he attaches no importance to a mere name, but he tells us, also, that the King's name is a tower of strength. It is very evident that the Press believes strongly in the power of a name. Our contemporary, for instance, thinks that the name " Council" ought to be abandoned because of its " ensnar- " ing associations." And he actually goes so far as to say — " We believe " that had the County Council of " Westland been simply styled the " County Board, ib would never have " been guilty of those pompous vagaries " which distinguished its -early sessions." The name " Board " has a wonderful charm for our contemporary. There is the Board of Waimakariri Conservators, for instance, which is a Nominee Board with the power of taxation, and which refuses to allow reporters to be present at its meetiugs. A decidedly model Board in the estimation of the Press. \/Thereisaratherstrangetalecurrentin townaboutthis Waimakariri Board. We do not vouch for its accuracy, of course, but merely give it as it has reached us. The tale goes that at a recent meeting of . the Board, the Chairman pointed out the necessity of appointing an engineer. The necessity was admitted. The Chairman then advised the appointmeut of a gentleman who had shortly, before arrived from England, and who was very highly recommended. A member suggested the advisability of ad verti* iug for candidates. The Chairman said it was hardly possible to get any candidate so highly recommended as the one he had brought under the notice of the Board. The gentleman's testimonials were scrutinised, and it transpired that he was indeed very highly recommended —by his own faik(})'-in-lq^^J}he Board agreed to advertise for candidate^T"? Now this tale may, or may not, beTrue. Granting that it is, we have no doubt the Chairmau acted. throughout in perfect good faith, and that he was simply desirous of doing a good-natured thing for a friend, believing that the geutleman was well qualified for the office.