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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 9, 30 November 1872, Page 2

Representation op Poverty Bay.—We observe that a bill to amend the Representation of the province has been laid before the Provincial Council. It is proposed to divide the province into 28 electoral districts to be represented by 41 members, one of which is for “the East Cape.” We will charitably suppose, although not exactly in the geography of the East Cape, that the latitude cf meaning, at any rate, will stretch itself far enough to include this Bay in the provisions of the bill.

Waipaoa Ferry Punt.—The Road Board have concluded the purchase of the punt from Mr. Goldsmith, and have called for 'tenders in to day’s issue from persons willing to rent it for the year 1873. The Board, be believe, will take charge of the punt to day, and make temporary arrangements for trafllc until the end of the year.

Trust Commissioner for Poverty Bay.— We are informed on undoubted authority that the General Government, yielding to pressure of circumstances, lave decided to relieve Mr. Commissioner Turton from some portion of his onerous duties. Dr. Nesbitt is talked of as the probable officer who will undertake the business of the Trust Commissioner’s department in this district, than whom no more fitting or worthy official could be found for such a duty, involving, as it often does, questions of very nice and subtle distinctions.

We regret to observe that another terrible visitation has fallen on Auckland. On the 20th instant a fire broke out in Fort-street, and after destroying two or three buildings on the North side, by some unaccountable means caught that magnificent and costly pile where the Cu items, Post-office, and Telegraph Departments, and Provincial offices were concentrated. It is only a few months since an entire change took place in many of these departments, some of the other branches of the Colonial Service, which originally occupied-these offices moving up to the Supreme Court buildings. The loss in the shape of documents, &c., represent a great money loss, beside creating great inconveniences to the Government on the opening of the Council. The total loss is represented at about £50,000, and makes a dreary hole in the heart of the city.

Waiapu.—Our correspondent from Waiapu informs its that affairs there are ‘ assuming a more satisfactory and peaceful nature than of late. On the 20th a large meeting of Ngatiporou Chiefs took place at Te Hatepa pa to discuss the subject of the late feud. A rather unfortunate contratemps happened during the proceedings, which, had it assumed a fatal aspect might have led to serions complications. When Wiremu Keiha rose to speak, the loaded gun which he had in his hand exploded accidentally, the ball passing through the roof of the building. He immediately surrendered the gun and two horses in satisfaction for the alarm created. The contending parties having arrived at a better understanding, discussed the principle of the proposed new law to establish Native Councils in Native districts. The voice of the meeting was unanimously in favor of adopting it as applicable to such a district as the Ngatiporou. Great praise was given to Mr. McLean for his thoughtful consideration in framing an act so calculated to put an end to a vast amount of inter-tribal trouble. The boundaries of the district, within which the proposed Council should have l jurisdiction, were determined on. The Native Minister’s very opportune visit to these people will tend to cement a good understanding on these matters more than anything else, the result of which we shall learn "on the arrival of the Luna from Waiapu.

Native.—We understand that a number of those natives mentioned in Mr. Wor<mn’s report, intend writing to Mr. McLean and entering a protest against the means that have been used to coerce them into selling their land .to the Gjjxerumeut-. They contend that their land should be allotted to them totally without reference to whom they will sell it ;’and that by withholding allotments the Government is taking undue advantage of them, to repel which they will not relinquish their entire claims to the lands so forced from them, until the Government gives them the cash difference between the actual market value of the lands in question, and the lesser sum the Government may, by withholding allotment force them to accept. The natives are very angry at the means Mr. Worgan states in his report that he has used to secure the lauds in question to the Government and it is not at all improbable that instead of the satisfactory settlement of the Confiscated Lands Claims on this coast being effected, a strong and bitter opposition to the Government will be implanted in the minds of the natives concerned in the above matters.— Wanganui Chronicle.

Gisborne School.—A grant has been made by the Central Board of Education, for a sewing mistress to the Gisborne School. A recent Provincial Government Gazette contains a proclamation appointing Mr. G. E. Read wharfinger at Gisborne, and also a schedule of tolls leviable at the wharf. Mr. Alexander Dalziel is also appointed Poundkeeper at Makaraka.

We learn that Mr. G. Harris is to be promoted from his present position as head Landing waiter at Wellington to the office of Sub-Collector of Customs at Gisborne. We congratulate Mr. Harris on his promotion, and confess that the Government could not have made a better selection, or Mr. Seed have reccomendod a more worthy candidate for a lift in the service. In fact the Customs employees have to thank their present Secretary for the security they enjoy in attaining to elevated positions when they merit

The Hon. the Native Minister was a passenger by the Luna which touched here on Wednesday last. Mr. McLean proceeded at once to Waiapu in the steamer and will return here to-morrow.

Divine services of the Church of England will be conducted to-morrow as under: —Ormond, at 11 a.m. ; Matawhero, at 3 p.m. ; Gisborne, at 6.30 p.m. The Bishop of Waiapu, accompanied by the Ven. Archdeacon Williams, arrived from Napier by the Luna on Wednesday. Members of the Church of England have an opportunity of securing a good pastor in the person of the Rev. Mr. Green, who, since his recent family affliction, desires to remove from the Meeanee; and it is a part of the Bishop’s mission to see what support is accorded for the purpose of sending him here. The Church building fund progresses favorably, amounting, we understand, to about £l5O.

Turanga Library.—We draw attention to the amended subscriptions passed by a general meeting of the Library members last Saturday, published in another column. To keep place with the times, the meeting deemed it essential to leave their present quarters, which have answered their purpose well enough hitherto, for those in which extended accommodation and benefits can be secured to members. It is now decided that the offer of the Hall Committee shall be accepted, by which arrangement- the expenses of the Library will be materially increased. The Reading room will be opened five nights in the week, and the Library two. A fresh and extended supply of papers, periodicals and books are to be sent for at once, and every possible guarantee wall be given to the public that their comfort and enjoyment will be the first consideration- To do this tho subscriptions have been increased to 21s. a year for town members living within a radius of one mile from the Hall who, of course, will have the lion’s share of benefits, while country members have been conciliated by a reduction of about 25 per cent in their favor. Members whose residence is not fixed, can subscribe 3s. a month with full privileges. Visitors, and nonresidents in the Bay can procure books from the Library, at 2s. a week. These are about the usual rates in other places and cannot, or ought not, to fail in securing a large influx %f members. It now remains for only the addition of 2 or 3 other accessories to make the institution at once attractive and lucrative, and we wish it the success it deserves.

Our Files.—Thanks to the blessing of not having been troubled too much lately with steamers calling here, we received files of Auckland papers via Napier yesterday the days numbered in the age of the oldest of which would allow any one to travel one fourth of the circumference of the globe.