" Mr. Hay, the Under-Secretary for the Colonies, retires upon
a pension ; and is succeeded by Mr. Stephen, the Counsel to that Department, in whose person the two offices will be consolidated."— Globe.
A " Bum-bureau-crat" (the Times coined this word) is a diligent and supple clerk, not moving with changes of Administration, but fixed on the official stool; the sitting portion of the department ; versed in the routine and phraseology of office; skilful in the underling's art of stifling complaints ; necessary, indispensable, to each fleeting superior, and, therefore, a master where he seems to serve ; and yet, through the secret nature of his power, safe and snug from responsibility, or even observation. Of this class, Mr. HA was a remarkable specimen. During the last seven years, he has been Under-Secretary over seven Chiefs- Husussost, MURRAY, GODERICH, STANLEY, RICE, ABERDEEN, and GLENELG. The whole of this order are highly Con servati ve--fond of every abuse, and opposed to every thing like reform; and so was Mr. HAY. Of late,:indeed, having attracted the eyes of the press by his opposition to the plan for colonizing South Australia, he has been comparatively harmless, because no longer obscure. Drag a " Bum-bureau-crat" sufficiently before the public, and, as the FREELINGS know, he ceases to be one.
We intend, next week, to offer a few remarks on the character and opportunities of Mr. HAY'S successor, Mr. STEPHEN. We also purpose to be constantly more attentive than heretofore to all matters within his jurisdiction. Meanwhile, having already exposed Lord GLENELG'S great design against the Colony of South Australia, we would draw Mr. STEPHEN'S attention to three small blunders of the Colonial Office in relation to that affair.
1. In the Gazette of Tuesday last, appear the names of the Com- missioners under the South Australian Act, though they were gazetted last year. What was the call for this second edition ? 2. In this second edition of the appointments, Colonel TORRENS is called a C. B. ; which he is not.
3. Captain HINDMARSH is gazetted as " Governor and Com- mander. in- Chief of the Province of South Australia;" though no such province yet exists. The Letters Patent or Order in Council for establishing the province, is yet to come : the horse is coming after the cart.
As proofs of the indifference or repugnance of the Colonial Office towards the New Colony, these mistakes are not unimportant. When all the officers are appointed, we shall take the liberty of examining their qualifications.
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