PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 25, 1903.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 849, 25 March 1903, Page 2

PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 25, 1903.

THE SAME OLD “ TAIHOA." Those who had in mind the remarkable haste in rushing through a certain Act of Parliament last session marvelled at the subsequent delay in getting to work, But for a time the question of the trust estates was thrown into the shade by the glamour of the Maori Councils. These were heralded with a great flourish of trumpets, and great was to he the work thereof. The Times,, iti view of bitter experience of the past, issued a note of warning against the putting of great faith in the new sys-

tern until there had been some attempt to put it into practice, and the reply in effect was, “ Just wait and you Will sec.” And like others we wearily waited, not perhaps hopefully.. Shrewd business men were appointed to the Council, and there was no doubt that if any opportunity was Riven to them it would he put to the best account, in the matter of settling the land. The Council was duly called together; it was promised a great, amount of work so much indeed that one gentleman felt that lie could not spare the time, and on that account withdrew. Though the people have since had many Ministerial assurances as to progress being made with the work, one can baldly believe it when it is staled that beyond Hie preliminary meeting, members of the Council have not been called together ? Tins fact becomes the more interesting from an evidently inspired suggestion that has been made that the gentlemen who undertook to do a great deal of work for little or no pay, should be quietly thrust aside for the stipendiary board which it; took so many months to appoint. The suggestion to amalgamate the Council and the Board might, if made at the proper time, have been worthy of consideration ; the Council which has been given the distasteful task of .doing nothing but look on and see the lapd continue in a state of idleness, m'jigbi- fairly have been asked to accept- the Salary and f)° the work of the board that has sipce teen appointed, though of course it would have been necessary in some way to define the interests oi the Stale and those of the hank. V

A few words now as to the new board. The extraordinary delay in making appointments has not prevented reasonable satisfaction being given in that respect. The people of tiie .district, perhaps, ought to show their 'approval of something being at lasi done. We might even he grateful, and forget the pasi. _ But at the very outset, the action ox tile board is sufficient to excite curiosity. Why ,have the members at once rushed off •to Napier, instead of doing their business in Gisborne ? The only excuse we have heard given is the necessity oT consulting with Mr iSbrinipton, one of the members. Why could nut that gentleman come to Gisborne. He js, we assume, to receive the same remuneration as the other members and it is surely more reasonable for him to come to Gisborne for the first meeting of the Board than for Hon. J. Carroll and Messrs and Macfarlane to have to go to Napier. Must all the business of this district be transacted 'in Napier ? The proper headquarters for tits board is at Gis> I

borne, and our public men should let this lie plainly understood. We know

that Messrs Harding and Macfarlane will be loyal to this district, and we look to them to stand on their rights in this matter. The only hope of doing anything satisfactory with these lands will be to have economical administration and speedy settlement ini, some form ; but if the board is to follow the line started upon, of rushing away to Napier at the first opportunity, there must be needless delay and the addition of heavy expense that could be avoided.