FAVOURITISM IN THE CON.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 3, 7 May 1872, Page 3

FAVOURITISM IN THE CON.

stabulary Promotions.—TheWaihi correspondent of the " Wanganni Chronicle " thus writes—" A good deal of dissatisfaction exists among the men of the Armed Constabulary Force here, and justly too, on account of the way m which promotion is distributed. The .rules of the Armed Constabulary Force distinctly state'"that 'seniority, length of seryicej and good conduct, will have its due

weight in promotion/ bat that role seems to be entirely ignored. Some months ago a mounted canstable (the last that should have been promoted either on account of his drill, of which he was deplorably ignorant—or of any other qualfication) was made a sergeant over men's heads who had service, seniority,, and good conduct to back them, simply on account of it having transpired, that either he or his father, or grandfather, was connected with the great Mr. Fox. Another man only a short time ago, and who had but recently joined, was promoted' at once to a second-class sergeant, anil in the course of a week to a first-class, on account of some influence he possessed. No wonder old hands are disgusted—men who have undergone all the hardships, who have faced the enemy, and done their duty manfully when called upon, should be passed over, simply because they had no Government friends to back them, and that those who had not the pluck to join when their services were really required, ahould be put over their heads. Secondly, Sergeant Cahill was present in nearly every engagement on this and the East Coast, mentioned highly in despatches for his gallantry in carrying the wounded out at Te-ngutu-o-te-Manu, distinguished himself in other places, and yet this deserving noncommissioned officer has been a second sergeant for the last three years."