WARDENS ON NELSON SOUTH-WEST GOLD FIELDS, (PAPERS RELATIVE TO PROPOSED REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, H-28

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1874. NEW ZEALAND.

WARDENS ON NELSON SOUTH-WEST GOLD FIELDS, (PAPERS RELATIVE TO PROPOSED REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of His Excellency.

No. 1. His Honor the Stjpebintendent, Nelson, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. (Telegram.) 2_th June. At the request of my Executive Council, I have the honor to recommend that the number of Wardens upon the Nelson South-west Gold Fields be reduced to two, who, it is believed, can satisfactorily perform the duties of the whole district. It is hoped that the Colonial Government can find other employment for one of the gentlemen, now holds these offices. The Junior Warden is Mr. Caleb Whitefoord. Oswald Cuetis, Superintendent.

No. 2. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to His Honor the Supebintendent, Nelson. (Telegram.) 29th June. Do you wish Mr. Whitefoord's appointment as Warden to be cancelled by Governor in Council, or will Mr. Whitefoord resign offices of Resident Magistrate and Coroner ? There is no vacancy to which he can be appointed at present. D. Pollen.

No. 3. His Honor the Stjpebintendent, Nelson, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. (Telegram.) Nelson, 30th June. Peovincial Government wish all Mr. Whitefoord's appointments to be cancelled, and that Mr. C. Broad undertake his duties. Oswald Cttbtis, Superintendent.

No. _. The Chaibman, County Council, "Westland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — County Chairman's Office, Hokitika, 27th February, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that the County Council have decided to make no further provision for the salaries of the Inspector of "Weights and Measures and the Cattle Inspector, as, by "The Weights and Measures Act, 1868," and " The Diseased Cattle Act, 1871," provision is made for the salaries of the Inspectors under the above Acts being paid by the General Government. I have, &c, H. L. Robinson, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chairman, County Council.

No. 5. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to the Chaibman, County Council, Westland. (No. 147.) Sic,— Colonial Secretary's Office, "Wellington, Bth March, 1873. _ I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 136, of the 27th ultimo, I—H. 28.

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stating that the County Council have decided to make no further provision for the salaries of the Inspector of Weights and Measures and of the Cattle Inspector. In reply, I would observe that as the salaries to be provided under the Act are to be paid out of money appropriated for the purpose by the General Assembly, in the absence of such an appropriation the salaries of these officers cannot be paid by the General Government. I have, &c, The Chairman of the County Council, Westland. William Eoi.

No. 6. The Chaibman, County Council, "Westland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — County Chairman's Office, Hokitika, sth April, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 147, of Bth March, 1873, stating that as the salaries of the Inspector of "Weights and Measures and of the Cattle Inspector are to be paid out of the moneys to be appropriated by the General Assembly, in the absence of such appropriations the salaries of these officers cannot be paid by the General Government. I trust, however, that at the next session of the General Assembly provision will be made for the payment of these salaries. I have, &c, H. L. Bobinson, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington. Chairman, County Council.

No. 7. The Undeb Seceetaet to the Chaibman, County Council, Westland. (No. 251.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, "Wellington, 15th April, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 224, of sth April, in which you say that you trust provision will be made next session for the salaries of the Inspector of Weights and Measures and of the Cattle Inspector. In reply, I have to request you to be good enough to furnish a return of salaries for which you wish the Government to bring down a vote. I have, &c, The Chairman of the County Council, (for the Colonial Secretary), "Westland. G. S. Coopee, Under Secretary.

No. 8. The Chaibman, County Council, "Westland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — County Chairman's Office, Hokitika, 25th April, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 251, of 15th April, 1873, requesting me to furnish you with a return of salaries for which I wish the Government to bring down a vote, and, in compliance therewith, to forward the enclosed return showing the offices and salaries which I wish the Government to put on their estimates. I have, _c, H. L. Bobinson, Chairman, County Council. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, "Wellington.

Enclosure in No. 8. Bettjbn of Officers and Amount of Salaries to be paid by Government. Eesident Magistrate, Grey ... ... ... ... £500 per annum. Inspector, "Weights and Measures ... ... ... ... £300 „ Cattle Inspector ... ... ... ... ... £60 „ Besides these officers, there are the Bailiffs to the Eesident Magistrates' Courts at Stafford and Boss and Greymouth, whom the Council propose should be paid by fees, who have hitherto been paid by the salaries, respectively, Stafford and Boss, £150 each; and Greymouth, £180.

No. 9. The Undeb Seceetaet to the Chaibman, County Council, "Westland. (No. 302). Sic,— Colonial Secretary's Office, "Wellington, 9th May, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 395, of 25th April, 1873, enclosing a return showing the officers and salaries which you wish the Government to place on the estimates, and to inform you that the matter is under consideration. I have, &c, (for the Colonial Secretary), The Chairman of the County Council, G-. S. Coopee, "Under Secretary. "Westland.

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No. 10. The Hon. W. H. Eetnolds to the Chaibman, County Council, Westland. (No. 367.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 19th June, 1873. Adverting to my letter No. 302, of the 9th of May last, on the subject of certain salaries hitherto paid by the county, for which you wish the General Government to bring down a vote, I have the honor to inform you that, after careful consideration, the Government have decided not to place these salaries on the estimates. I have, Ac, The Chairman of the County Council, W. H. Eetnolds. Westland.

No. 11. The Chaibman, County Council, Westland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sib, — County Chairman's Office, Hokitika,'26th June, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 367, 19th June, 1873, on the subject of certain salaries which have hitherto been paid by the county, stating that the Government have decided not to place them on the estimates. In reply, I would beg to inform you that the county is unable to make provision for the Inspector of Weights and Measures and the Cattle Inspector. I would point out that all fees collected by those officers are paid into the Public Account, and that the Acts under which they are appointed provide for their salaries to be paid out of moneys appropriated by the General Assembly. I have, &c, H. L. Eobinson, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Chairman, County Council.

No. 12. The Chaibman, County Council, Westland, to the Hon. the Ministeb of Justice. (Telegram.) Hokitika, 30th August, 1873. County Council refuse make provision for Cattle Inspector, whose salary under clause 7 " Diseased Cattle Act, 1871," should be voted by Assembly. Local Cattle Board recommend that salary of £60 per annum be paid this officer, which hope you will provide. H. L. Eobinson, County Chairman. To the Hon. the Minister of Justice, Wellinton.

No. 13. His Honor the Stjpebintendent, Westland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Hokitika, 30th March, 1874. I have the honor to forward herewith a copy of a resolution of the Provincial Council, to the effect that great injustice is being done to Westland in consequence of the salaries of the Eesident Magistrates in this province being paid by the Provincial Government. I think it is hardly necessary for me to draw your attention to the fact, that although the officers who act as Eesident Magistrates act also as Wardens, by far the greater amount of revenue is derived from the former Court, and is wholly paid into the Public Account, while the salary of these officers has to be paid by the province, with the exception of that of Mr. FitzGerald, at Hokitika. In looking over the returns for the past six months, I find that in the Eesident Magistrate's Court in the Grey District, seven hundred and twenty cases were heard, as against twenty in the Warden's Court. I trust, therefore, that at the approaching session of the General Assembly the salaries of these officers may be placed on the General Government estimates. I have, &c, Jas. Bonae, To the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 13. Extract from the Proceedings of the Provincial Council. Monday, 2nd March, 1874. " Resolved, —That His Honor the Superintendent urge upon the General Government the injustice of the salaries of the Eesident Magistrates in Westland being paid by the Provincial Government, and that His Honor request the General Government to make provision for the payment of such salaries." On the motion of Mr. Guinness.

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No. 14. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to His Honor the Sttpebintendent, Westland. (No. 174.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 7th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 173, of the 30th of March, in which you enclose a resolution of the Provincial Council, to the effect that great injustice is done to Westland in consequence of the salaries of the Eesident Magistrates in that province being paid by the Provincial Government. 2. I must point out to your Honor that the Eesident Magistrates in Westland, with the exception of Mr. PitzGerald at Hokitika, who is paid by the General Government, are essentially gold fields officers, for whose services there would be no necessity if there were no gold fields, and who therefore ought to be paid, in Westland as in other auriferous provinces, out of gold fields revenues. 3. I shall, however, have no objection to bring the matter before the Cabinet when the estimates are under consideration. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Westland. Daniel Pollen.

No. 15. His Honor the Supeeintenbent, Westland, to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Hokitika, 21st May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 174, of sth May, 1874, relative to the payment of Eesident Magistrates' salaries. With reference to paragraph 2 of your letter, in which you state there would be no necessity for these officers if there were no gold fields, and therefore they should be paid out of gold fields revenue, I have the honor to submit that the special injustice complained of lies in the fact that the very revenue contributed by the population on the gold field, in the shape of fees and fines to the Courts, is absorbed by the General Government, and not applied to the payment of the expenses of those Courts. If the Provincial Government received tke Court fees, they would willingly pay the salaries of the officers, as the amount received would more than cover the cost. I have to thank you for promising to bring the matter before the Cabinet, and I trust that, on consideration, the Government will afford us the relief which I feel the equity of the case entitles me to ask for. I have, &c, .as. Bonae, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

No. 16. The Hon. the Colonial Seceetaet to His Honor the S.pebintendent, "Westland. (No. 265.) Sic, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 29th June, 1874. Eeferring to your Honor's letter of the 21st May, in reply to mine of the 7th of that month, upon the subject of the salaries of the Eesident Magistrates in gold fields districts, I have the honor to inform you that the subject having been considered by the Cabinet, the Government have come to the conclusion that it is not desirable, for the present at least, to propose to the Legislature an alteration in the mode of providing for the salaries of officers on the gold fields of the colony. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent, Westland. • Daniel Pollen.

By Authority: Gxobgb Didsb.ry. GoTermnent Printer, Wellington.—lB74. Price 3d.]