THE ROTORUA SCANDAL.
No defence can possibly be offered for the most unbusinesslike way in which the Government proceeded about the purchase of the Rotorua block, and even many journals which support the Government unite in the general outcry against the jobbery which has been pelmitted. The Waikato Times has a strong article upon the subject, the following extract containing a good idea of the line taken up by that journal : — “ P is said tha Rotorua township which was purchased amid such a flourish of rumpeia and self cpfisiatuiatlotis by the f
Under Secretary, Mr Lewis, cost more than it could have been bought for Mr Gilbert Mair accompanied Mr Lewis as interpreter, but the natives, knowing Mr Mair’s acuteness in making a bargain, and his accurate knowledge of the value of land, put their heads together to get such a troublesome man out of the way. Accordingly representations were made to the Government, that, as Mr Mair had at one time spoken slightingly of one of the chiefs sisters, or his cousins, or his aunts, they would not cfo business unless he was sent away. With characteristic perspicuity, Mr Lewis saw that it was necessary in the interests of the colony, that Mr Mair should not be allowed to stand in the way of the acquisition of such a very valuable property as the Rotorua township. Mr Mair was sent away and a stranger brought up in his place, with the result, if report speaks truly, that £2OOO more than the land could have been got for, was paid away. Truly the British public are a long suffering people.
Mr Lewis gets /600 a year and 12s 6d a day travelling allowance, one would suppose to conserve the public purse, but if the above Is a correct statement of facts, and we hear it on good authority, the public money is wasted in a shameful manner. Members of the Civil Service are paid out of all proportion to their services, and while hundreds of farmers are toiling away from dawn till dark for the bare necessaries of life, the pets of a corrupt Government are drawing salaries that, taking into consideration the cheapnep of living, may almost be called princely ; indeed, there are thousands of industrious people who would consider a year a princely affluence.” But our contemporary cannot be aware of the grip which Mr Lewis has on the public service. One might as_ well try , to extricate himself after sitting in a ; cobbler's wax trap as to shift some officers . from their snug nests. Many hard-working . fanners may rise and fall, but Mr Lewis t will be in his position just the same,
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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 409, 28 January 1890, Page 2
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446THE ROTORUA SCANDAL. Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 409, 28 January 1890, Page 2
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