THE STANDARD. SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 15, 4 January 1873, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 1873.

*' We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

The clauses in the “ Registration of “ Electors Act,” which provide for the registration of the claims of persons qualified to vote, came into annual operation on the Ist of January. The Act provides also, for “ any addition or “ alteration being made to or in the “statement.of any qualification” already on the Roll. The mode of procedure is Tery simple, but attended with many incontenient annoyances, the consequence of our political isolation ; and, as announced elsewhere, the forms in which it is necessary to make the claims, are to be had at our office without any charge. These claims are to be attested by any elector of the district, or a Justice of the Peace, and forwarded to the Registration Officer appointed at Maketu, before the 31st March. The Act makes no provision for the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed, but, although it is a duty incumbent on electors individually to look, after their own political interests, we believe the Magistrates in this district *have agreed to take charge of the voting papers, and to forward them to the Registration officer in due course. This will facilitate registration immensely, and probably secure a more reliable transit than if left to the electors themselves.

We need hardly do more than draw the attention of our fellow settlers to the weight of responsibility resting upon them at. thia particular turning point in their career. Assuming that the Provincial Government have succeeded in passing the Amended Repre-

sentation Bill, embodying a provision by which we shall have a direct voice in future local legislation, and also possess the privilege of bringing forward a member of our own, we have cause for self-congratulation, and it behoves us, as a peqple struggling to be freed from the bitter oppression of neglect, to assert our newly-created power and influence with a determination to make ourselves valued as friends and to be feared as foes. The exceptional position we occupy, in relation to the rest of the Colony ; the many questions of local self-government which imperatively demand an united effort and attention; the peace and welfare of the district; the creation of a political status; involve a careful, earnest course of action which requires a combination of forces, and a jealous guardianship of rights and privileges to pursue with success. At times like the present, when it is necessary to ascertain the numbers of the people, we see, with a painful distinctness, the effects of past apathy. We observe how important it is to take a stand upon, and to urge with all the vigor we possess, our rights of participation in the great questions of the day. We now see the necessity for the location of immigrants, new blood, fresh settlers, call them what you will, to form a homogeneous whole, whose ininterests are at one with their determination to protect them. In a few months at the latest, we shall be called upon to exercise the privilege of election. The district of which we form a part, is a large one —too large for any member to care to master a knowledge of, except the immediate vicinity whence he comes; and herein is the necessity apparent for us to secure some one eligible from among ourselves to represent us, but first of all to gather a strength which will enable us to carry him successfully through an election contest.

Since the Roll of last year was compiled, a large addition has been made to the voting population of the East Coast. Tauranga, whose proximity to Ohinimuri, and the Thames goldfields, has probably kept ahead of us, although we shall make a respectable figure on the next Roll, if our settlers are true to themselves. Under the existing boundaries of the East Coast electoral district, it is impossible to prevent a spirit of contention, rivalry and opposition between the extreme centres of population : if the Provincial Council, in its moribund state, has not cared to mete to us any measure of justice, as a set off somewhat to balance A long account of arrears against the Government, this cannot, in the nature of things, ''be avoided; for it cannot hardly be supposed that either end will support a member put forward by the other. A little loosening of the arithmetical stringency of basingrepresentation on population to such a nicety, might have given us two members who would have divided the chances of continuous struggles for the mastery. To support the theoiy we have advanced, it is unnecessary to go further back than the commencement of the present session, when Mr. Kelly (who is supposed, through some pleasing fiction, to have us under his wing) in support of his motion as to the “ political importance ” 'which would accrue to the Colony! by the location of immigrants in the Bay of Plenty, did not think it would be at aH “ important" for the same advantages being extended to Poverty Bay. Say what they will to the contrary, most mens’ opinions are formed to square with their interests or their necessities, and we, at any rate, would rather not push candidates to. a declaration to the contrary. «

Quarterly Inspection or Arms.—The quartely inspection of troopsand companies in this district has just been concluded by Major Pitt and Captain Porter. On Tuesday December 31st, No. 1 company militia under Captain Tucker were the first to take ground in the morning at 10 o’clock, and were put under, what they, possibly, considered a severe ordeal by Sergeant Shirley. Dinnertime released them, until two p.m. when, they deployed, rather than inarched, to a secluded spot where, safe from the eye of observation, they concluded their onerous duty, not much better and certainly none the wiser for the torments they had endured; their

strength was the best part of their appearance. Shortly after 2 o’clock Captain Hardy’s troop fell in, and took “ open order.” After the inspection Drill Instructor Armstrong essayed a few evolutions, but the sandy, broken ground, thickly studed with brambles, obliged them to desist and they “ broke ” after a short practice. One of the chief features of this “ meet ” was a private meeting held after parade to present Sergeant Armstrong with a substantial proof of the appreciation in which he is held by the troop. A sum of £2O was set apart for that purpose, to be presented to the donee on the first appropriate occasion. This troop numbers pretty strong now, nearly 50 we believe, and three or four new applicants for enrolment. The Gisborne Rifle Volunteers marched on to the ground at 3 o’clock sharp, looking quite dashing in their new uniforms. After the inspection, Captain Winter, put his company through a series of evolutions in something more than a creditable manner. Nos. 2 and 3 companies militia, fell in on their respective parade grounds, and underwent a satisfactory inspection. Our observations, cursory though they necessarily were, lead us to remark that an improvement was noticeable over previous drills, in the various companies, i. e. as far as the rank and file are concerned. It is no use blundering over an unpleasant fact, but it is a fact nevertheless, that officers posted to, or sleeted by companies, should be compelled to take a more active and intelligent part in these parades than they doAs matters stand the men may not suffer, it is true, for it would be difficult to find anyone to handle them better than those who did it yesterday, —Captain Winter being specially complimented "by the Major Commanding, on the condition and improved appearance of the rifleaj

—but the bad effects tell thus: after having* been drilled into something like shape by an Instructor, with the officers, in most cases, standing veiy easy in position, they are, on some emergency, subjected to the incompetent command of a subaltern, who finds that he has not learnt his lesson by mere looking on. The men become disorganized; “immorality,” as it is called, sets in, and the last state of those men is worse than the first. We are far from being invidious; we select no one as particularly qualified for censure ; but the system is wrong* and as rotten as it can be, and the sooner we have the enforcement of that wholesome alteration in the regulations which will make an officer’s knowledge of his duty a pre-requisite to holding a commission, the better. Let officers be called to the front; let them hear the sound of their own voice; let them win confidence in themselves by slow processes, and not expect them to jump into a complete performance of a most difficult and complex duty. The timidity which most men feel in a new position in the middle of life, especially when its necessities involve a command of others, can only be surmounted, by beginning at the beginning, and gradually, by practical effort, intelligently applied, acquire the knowledge which there is no other method of attaining. Where a new and inexperienced officer joins a corps after it has arrived at something like efficiency, it would be tedious to drag the men through the whole performance necessary to his individual purpose; but Officers and N.C.Os. might have private drills, which, in the case of the volunteers we should have thought would have been pretty general during the summer months. We should like to say an encouraging word to the Militia, and certainly think that the Government might be able to do something towards the improvement of their personal appearance generally. The army that Falstaff refused to march With, had nota more undisciplined non-descript bearing that the militia companies generally have now a days. This and the advantages enjoyed by the Volunteers should be the means of all joining the latter corps, who ean; but, as a rooted objection to do military service, in any shape, has a strong hold on some, they prefer exchanging patriotism for immunity from parade, at the cost even of personal respect. SHU as there must be a Militia corps, we do not see why some arrangement cannot be made which would give them a uniformity at least. t

Colonial Prize Firing.—Tie preliminary, or company competitive firing, will commence on Monday to qualify for choice of Colonial Representatives to contest the colonial matches at Nelson ia March next. Those of our local forces who are ambitious in this direction, should »» once commence a course of training, as them hot work to do, which a patient zeal only can sustain; and while awarding much praise for the assiduity already displayed at the targets, it must not be forgotten that the choice does not lie solely with the marksmen of the district. There are too very ugly facts staring them in the face; Ist. two representatives are required for Napier, Wairoa, and Poverty conjoined, so that either of these three districts may, if they can, qualify for the whole representation, and practically, each district has to look upon tho others as competing against it, thus extending the range of choice, adding to the amount of competition and lessening the chances of our success. 2nd. “No competitor will be eligible who does not score seventy points and upwards,” out of a possible hundred at the local firing. We would advise all who have sent in their names to acquaint themselves with the Rules and Regulations, and go in and win. Fencing Act.—We have heard that a petition lias been, or is to be sent to the Provincial Government, praying that no alteration be mads in the Fencing Act. Not having seen the document we cannot state that the prayer involves any other question; but as public opinion seems to be so much divided on the matter, and ia of such immense importance to a district like this, a little more agitation, and public exchange of thought would have been useful. Registration Forms. — Forms for ths registration of electors, can be had at the Standard office free of charge. The Races.—We are informed that the Club have been unable to come to terms with Mr Parsons for the use of the Race-Course on his property. Mr. Parsons very naturally requires some compensation for the unavoidable trouble and annoyance incident to the meeting, which the Turf Club would gladly pay if the funds would justify it, as it is, satisfactory arrangements are being made with Captain Read for the of one of his paddocks at Matawhero ; would offer a suggestion to the Club thatrhese arrangements be extended, so that a permanent Stand may be erected, or alter them ' with a view to getting a piece of land pflrns own, 'on such terms as will bo a source of 'annual profit. The Stewards complain of the apathy of the- public with respect to the subscription list, and, generally, a display of want of interest in the forth-coming meeting. It may be said truly, that the object of horse racing is to improve our stud stock, and thereby displace the mongrels which are annually increasing. Some of our settlers have incurred great expense in the importation aud training of good blood, and the institution should be patronized with a view to preserving it from lapsing into a mere gambling and betting contest. The public, non-membersof the Club, will derive the benefit of two days’ capital sport this year, and we see no reason why Poverty Bay should not take up a good position and shew its ability and spirit in perpetuating this national and exhilirating pastime. Compensation Meeting.—We beg to draw attention to the meeting of all concerned, or interested herein, convened for this evening at Mr. Blair’s Hotel at 6'o'clock.