THE Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri FRIDAY, 7th NOVEMBER, 1873.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1523, 7 November 1873, Page 6

THE Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri FRIDAY, 7th NOVEMBER, 1873.

; Altogkthek apart from the inducement j of bonus payments on production, Governments have it much in their power to foster the introduction and progress of homo industries; and when the first is at best but a doubtful line of policy, there can, we think, be no doubt at all concerning the wisdom of the more indirect, but not less effectual, means of the second kind at their disposal. When

associate corporations or private persons* enter into engagements with a Government for leases of public lands, or other properties, for the purpose of carrying on a legitimate enterprise, it is of course requisite that, in the public interest, terms and conditions should be insisted

on as to a minimum of result in a given period of time, in order that an indolent, or it may be an obstructive, firm, may not hold public properties to the prejudice of others who would turn them to better account. But, in looking at results, and insisting on the fulfilment of any such conditions, a liberal spirit should be shown, and the energy and endeavors of the parties concerned considered, rather than the actual results of their labor. It must be evident that in the establishment of any new enterprise, whether it be the opening of a coal mine, or the foundation of any extensive manufactory or work, unlookedfor difficulties are liable to arise, snch as may defeat, for a time, the very best intentions of its promoters, and postpone the desired results ,* the" effect being that if the strict letter of the then contract with the Government be enforced, the enterprise must come to an unfortunate termination ; while, if the stringency of those terms be relaxed, or time extended, success would be attendant on their efforts, and public interest advanced.

In another part of this day's issue, we quote from the Nelson Examiner an article bearing on the above line of reasoning, The case is one, we think, in vhich the strict letter of agreement between the Government and the company might well be abandoned, and the good of the Colony considered, by this course. It jjjpy be said that others are ready to j-cenpy til* &eld from which the present .Jkjoinpaoy would be .driven by the strict -enforcement of the contract, fcjut eren if ,*hat be.so, what tliis company has done, sjm4 fndwwwl to accomplish, should

be taken into consideration before driving tliem from the field, and involving them in a pecuniary sacrifice of perhaps a very serious kind. Of course the argument we have used is of a more general than particular character, and though the Nelson case is that which has called it forth j that is by no means the only one at present existing—Governments are not always found in the same predicament under similar circumstances to those to which we at present refer. It sometimes happens that the other extreme is touched, and penalties waived which, in the public interest, should be enforced. We will not now be so un-

gracious as to name an instance of the latter kind; all we wish is to argue that, where negligence cannot be imputed, or where temporary failure has resulted from no direct cause of blame on ths part of contractors, a liberal interpretation should be given to the penal clauses of their contract-we by no means wish that any such course should be adopted if in cases where incompetency, neglect, or any intention to impose on the public, exist, Merit should always meet its just reward, and evils, such as the above, their due punishment.

On Wednesday evening, Napier was visited by a hail and thunder storm, of short duration, but of most unusual violence. The lightning was vivid, and forked; and the hailstones were of very large size. For a short time the rain fell in torrents. Yesterday the weather was dull and overcast.

A Provincial Government Gazette, dated 81st October, which came to hand yesterday, contains a proclamation by his Honor the Superintendent, appointing the 3rd inst. as the day on and after which tolls shall be levied at the Meanee toll-gate, between Munn's Point and the Puramu Creek.

We have received from the publishers, Messrs. Field andTner, London, No. 3 of the " Paper and Printing Trades Journal," a quarterly trade organ. It is remarkable for its quaint appearance, being entirely printed in the mediaeval style. It is admirably compiled, it has an immense guaranteed circulation, and altogether reflects great credit on its enterprising publishers.