THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. "The spirit of the times shall teach me speed." KING JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1874.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 159, 14 March 1874, Page 2

THE BAY OF PLENTY TIMES. "The spirit of the times shall teach me speed." KING JOHN, ACT IV. SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1874.

While quite aware of the aversion his Excellency feels and has invariably displayed against public ovations since his arrival in New Zealand, we cannot admit his right to ignore his position as representative of Monarchy in the colony. We take it that he can never, wherever he goes in the colony, travel as plain Sir James Fergusson, Bart., or, in other words, as an aristocrat, but that his position as a Governor will necessarily be associated with his doings and sayings. Such being our sentiments, we feel that the settlers of this district should bestir themselves, and accord him that reception on arriving at Tauranga which is due to his office. For instance, we would suggest that a party of the principal settlers ride out and meet the vice-regal cortege somewhere on the road between town and Oropi, and that an address be presented to him similar in nature to those usually presented on such occasions. We would remind our readers that on the occasion of Sir George Bowen’s first visit in 1809, a most cordial welcome was accorded him._ On the evening of the day of his landing a banquet was held at the Tauranga Hotel, which was very largely attended by all classes of the community, and proved a ■wonderful success. We cannot see any good reason why another banquet should not ho given. It is not every day, or indeed every year, that the Governor of the colony is in our midst, and Tauranga should not he niggardly in the reception of her guests. We feel confident that Captain Horn's, of the Eiilcs, will be to the fore, and that the members of his corps will muster in force for the occasion by turning out as a guard of honour, or in any other capacity in which they may be required. The officers and men of the Tauranga Light Horse will, we are equally certain, also be prepared to do ail they can to receive our distinguished guest in a proper manner. His Excellency is an old soldier, comes of military stock, and wouldbe gratified to see corps of such material turn out to do

him honour. It is not certain how loner hia Excellency will stop in Tauranga, but wo trust that he will make it convenient to hold a Levee while here. We would suggest that a public meeting be held to consider what steps should be taken to receive him, and for the formation of a reception committee. If something of this kind be not done, Tauranga °w ill form a solitary exception to the rule of townships in the colony. Wherever his Excellency has been, South or North, a hearty welcome has been unanimously accorded him, and although, as vve have before intimated. Sir James dees not care for public demonstrations, yet his private wishes, unless previously officially expressed, should not be suffered to form an excuse for public apathy. We trust that Captain Morris, our local representative, or some one of our leading men will take the subject into consideration. There is not much time to think about it, and the sooner something is done in the matter the better.

’W'E have deemed it of late to bo our duty almost unceasingly to urge upon our readers the desirabibty of registering their claims to vote before the 31st of this month, the time appointed by the Act for so doing. We want a largo addition of hoiui Jide voters to the roll, and wo also want the existing one purged of the names of absentees and deceased persons, so that at the proper time every settler resident in the Bay of Plenty district may have a voice in the election of representatives, whether for the House of Representatives, the Supenntondency, or the Provincial Council. In writing so many times upon this subject wo have done what wo conceived it to be our plain duty as public journalists to do, and no more. At the present time, in the Hawke’s Bay and several other newspapers appear advertising notices from Registration Officers regarding the proper filling up and forwarding claims to vote. Fondly supposing that the Registration Officer of the East Coast would adopt the same course as that followed by his brother officers in the neighbouring province, we applied to him, through the Revising Officer of the district, for permission to insert a similar advertisement in the columns of the Bat of Pxektt Times. The Revising Officer, seeing the desirability of such notice being published without further delay, telegraphed to the Registration Officer—Mr F. E. Hamlin, R.M., of Maketu—for his authority to to insert the_ same, and after a considerable interval, received the following somewhat extraordinary reply : “Re advertising notice for the registration of votes ; It is not authorised by law. I should, nevertheless, have advertised but that the editor of the Bat of Plentt Times took it out of my hands.” And so—because in the interests of the public, when the time came round, without waiting for a paid advertisement, wo lost no time in advising our fellow settlers to secure the privileges of the franchise, we are treated in this manner, and the legitimate support accorded to other journals is refused to us. We ask our readers pardon for thrusting upon them a matter so personal. But, we aak, is such conduct fair or reasonable ?” Mr Hamlin will find on reference that not only the Bat of Ppentt Times but every newspaper in the colony has frequently during the last two months drawn the attention of its readers to electoral matters, and that without waiting for an advertisement or other monetary consideration.

Immediately after the last meeting of the Town Board, and before the members had dispersed, Mr Samuels, in the course of conversation, brought forward the subject of the borrowing powers of Highway Boards. In order to settle the question at once and for aye, wa telegraphed to Mr Sheehan, Provincial Secretary, seeking for information ; and have to acknowledge with thanks receipt of the following reply, which we hasten to place before our readers:—

“ Auckland, March 13, 1874. ‘ To Editor Bay of Plenty Times. Present law does not allow loan or mortgage on any conditions. It is proposed to give powers to Boards to anticipate revenue under special conditions, but details not yet matured. “ J. Sheehan, “ Provincial Secretary.”