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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 12, 21 December 1872, Page 2

Tenders.—Tenders are required for leasing the Waerenga-a-hika estate, and suburban section No. 22 Ormond.

Sales By Auction.—Mr. Greene holds a sale by auction this day, at Kaiarika, consisting of horses, timber, hams, bacon, &c. &c. Impoundings—The first batch of 11 animals was forwarded express from their feeding ground at Gisborne, on Wednesday last, to the newly-erected resort for itinerants at Makaraka. Damages are threatened to be demanded from the Road Board by some of the owners whose rights (?) are thus trampled on! But though the growlings are deep, subscriptions are not. Laborers.—We hear a general cry out at the scarcity of labor supply in this district. Just now the various industries offer employment to a pretty numerous augmentation of servants, laborers, and small capitalists. Wool scourers, seed and harvest men, agricultural, farm, and domestic servants, male and female would find plenty of room and work if they would but come. It is certainly, a matter for something more than regret, to think that, with the teeming numbers there are being brought from the uttermost ends of the earth to this Colony, and with so many starving out a livelihood in it already, we cannot find means to benefit them and reward ourselves. Neither of the Governments will, evidently, unless we shame them into it, and could any hope to to succeed in that? R.M.’s Court Waiapu.—We cordially advise the Resident Magistrate at Waiapu to take advantage of our columns, which we place at his disposal, for the purpose of reporting the cases coming before his Court. Last week we heard that Mr. Campbell had given a decision recently in his Court which practically nullifies any attempt to successfully recover debts. In a suit European v. Maori, to recover a sum of £14 odd. Judgment for plaintiff was entered up, defendant to pay a bag of corn per year until the claim was satisfied. We confess to a little doubt as to its correctness, but due publicity would obviate the existence of either doubt or incorrectness.

Boxing Day.—So far we are advised of two sources of amusement which should be well patronised. The Athletic sports at Makaraka, where host Dalziell will cater, in his proverbial style, for all comers, have some good entries already to the fore, and some expert athletes are to contest the different honors which result in their ability to run in an empty sack, wheel themselves in barrows, or catching pigs with greasy tails, we wish success to the winners. The wandering Minstrels, with one of whom we have had personal intercourse on the point assure us that for a shilling or half-a-crown, the most fastidious will be pleased by a visit to the school room on boxing-night. Songs, Hiatuses, Pole balancing, Interludes, Singing, Screaming (by the audience) Stump oratory, and Dancing, combine to make an attractive bill of fare.

Legal Landing Place at Gisborne.—“The public wharf running out from the Native Reserve, bounded on the North by the town of Gisborne, and on the South by the Waikanae stream, shall be deemed and taken to be the legal landing place at the Port of Poverty Bay, for the lading and unlading of goods.” Warehousing Port.—The Port of Poverty Bay is appointed a Warehouse Port for the purposes of the “Customs Regulation Act 1858,” and is approved of as “a Port for the importation of Tobacco.

Waiapu Mail.—The detention of this mail last week arose from an alteration, made by Mr. Campbell, the R.M. at Waiapu, in the date of departure. Henceforwad the Waiapu mail will arrive at Gisborne at 10 a.m. on each alternate Monday, closing at 4 p.m. This will act concurrently with the Overland Mail from and to Napier which arrives and closes on the same day and at the same hours.

Our Post Office.—The time has come in which we consider it our duty, alike to the public and ourselves, to take prominent notice of the inconvenient method (to put it mildly) at present in vogue in administering our local postal department. In taking this step, we confess to bending to a stern necessity, yielding in fact in support of complaints that are forced upon us from circumstances that can be toleratəd no longer. Ere we were eight days old we had many advisers that it was our duty to “show up” the postmaster. We suggested patience, with a hope that improvement would follow on the heels of experience. We confess to a disappointment, which leaves no room for expectation, but that as matters have got into the second degree of comparison, they will, if allowed to continue, very soon arrive at the third. By this we mean, speaking plainly, that our Post Office is in a worse condition since its removal from Mr. Blair’s (the only reason for removing thence was because it was held at an Hotel), and, unless an alteration soon takes place it will have a reputation the worst of any in the Colony. Now let our distant readers judge. Last Saturday morning the Rangatira arrived about 4 o’clock a.m. The mails were at Post Office by 6 a.m. at the latest. Not being too hard, we delayed sending for our files until after 8 a.m., When we received an intimation that the mails would not be delivered until 9 o’clock, the usual time for opening. The steamer left again before nine. Again, on Monday the Star of the South came in from Auckland at 4 p.m. At 5.10 p.m. a reply was received from the urbane Postmaster that “the

mail had not come ashore, and if it had, it would not be delivered until 9 o’clock the next morning!” The Star did not leave until 8 p.m. Now considering that the steamers call here so irregularly and infrequently, business people were anxious to receive their letters and reply by the same boats, which, in the case of both these steamers could have been done, had they the opportunity. It is true the Star was expected, but that was three days after, and she goes no further than Napier, so that through the hirsute conduct of one of those officials we sometimes read of, but seldom see, thank Goodness! we are shut out of course of post, for two or three weeks, and telegrams which might have left by either boat, were not sent through the non-delivery of the mails. We are aware that Mr. Stubbs shelters himself under the regulations of the service which do not command him to deliver before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. That’s all very well but those regulations do not for a moment convey a meaning which gives any new Jack-in-the-box permission to create inconveniences and to obstruct rather than facilitate public business. Mark how the conduct of the Auckland officials stands out in contrast to this stickler to time! After the fire the New Zealand Herald, says “several very silly people rushed to withdraw their deposits from the Government Savings Bank,” and instead of sending them “to the right about, the gentlemen in the Savings Bank department, scarcely cooled from the heat of the flames, and with hands and faces grimed with dust and sweat, turned to their books, and paid over to the applicants their balances. What was done with such business formality in this department, was done in all included in the business of the Post Office.” We agree with the Herald that “officials cannot be too highly commended for such official enterprise,” neither can they be too much condemned, when even rough civility does not distinguish them. We have no desire to cast upon any public functionary a necessity to trench unduly upon his private time; but conciliation and a little thawing of that official iciness which some think essential to maintain the dignity of the service, are sometimes necessary. We know something of the duties of the Civil Service; we are also practically acquainted with its obligations: with Mr. Stubbs it is different; and, as he is getting tired of his charge, cares not now to learn them. We would, however, give him a word of warning and friendly advice, or he may yet find that those whom he drives from the Post Office, won’t be very eager to return to the shop.

Orders in Council.—The following appear in a recent Govermnent Gazette. Port of Poverty Bay:—The limits are thus described: “The waters of Poverty Bay, inside of a straight line drawn from Tua-hine, the North Head, to the South of Young Nick’s Head, including the rivers Turanga-nui, Koputetea, and Wero Wero; together with the town site of Gisborne, as delineated on the official plan of the same.” Coming events cast, sometimes, very lengthened, shadows; here’s an instance:—Mr. Creighton in the exuberance of his political feelings, at the conclusion of a very stormy meeting with his constituents said: “Should he continue in polities, however, he could assure his friend, Mr. Buckland, that he meant to realise his jocular remark; and when he (Mr. Creighton) became Premier, he felt certain that he would have no more devoted followers than Mr. Gillies and Mr. Buckland.” Nasmith's Art Union.—The whole world should know of this; but as there may be some who require a gentle reminder, we beg to state that those in quest of information us to when this lottery takes place, cannot do better than call for a Green-back at Nasmith’s Emporium, or Christmas day may find them without a prize. Collector of Customs.—George Frederick Harris, Esq., has been appointed Collector of Customs, and Inspector of Distilleries at Poverty Bay.

Native School Tologa Bay.—We hear that this school has been successfully opened by Mr. Parker.

Parliamentary Papers.—We have to acknowledge receipt from the Government printer at Wellington, of a parcel of Parliamentary papers and Gazettes; also No. 30 of Hansard, No. 29 has not yet reached us. Patutahi Block.—We are informed that Dr. Nesbitt, acting under authority from the General Government, has accepted Mr. Bousfield’s tender for the survey of the Patutuhi block. We don’t see how it could have fallen into better hands, as that gentleman is thoroughly acquainted with that part of the country. Compensation Meeting.—We beg to draw attention to the meeting convened for this evening at Dalziell’s Hotel, to take into consideration the advisability of petitioning the Government on the question of compensation for losses sustained during the Native disturbances in this district.

We had intended to congratulate our contemporary the (Waikato Times) before this on the apparent necessity put upon him to enlarge his sheet. His venture, like our own, was posted as certain to be an out-and-out failure, and we rejoice from more causes than one that it is not so. The Times’ proprietor will, we are sure, believe in the sincerity of our congratulations although they may arrive late.

The Telegraphic intelligence in the H. B. Times informs us that:—“Sir Francis Dillon Bell has met with an accident, by which one of his legs was injured; but the injury is not serious.” Good gracious ! what a pity !