THE STANDARD. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 5, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 24, 5 February 1873, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 5, 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.”

We;Observe that one of the conditions of the ‘forthcoming Land Sale at Gisborne, stipulates that “ all lands not disposed of at the sale will be immediately thereafter withdrawn from sale.” We take an early opportunity of reminding the Government that this is unjust to the community and a direct breach of faith on the part of the Provincial Government. At an interview between a deputation from the Road Board, and Mr. Lusk, on the occasion of his last financial visit, the Provincial Secretary distinctly gave the deputation (and through -them the community) to understand that, after the next saleiali sections unsold would remain open for selection. It is so recorded in our columns as a part of the business of the Board; and we press the ratification of the promise upon the Government, as many .promises were made on that occasion, and few hpve been kept. It -is' monstrous that addeajo the rank indifference shown by the provincial authorities to local matters in this Bay, we should bo sucked and; squeezed, orange-like, out of our last coin and percentage of patience, and have quietly to permit the most exquisite torturings of the Laud Regulations for the purposes of a hard,

grinding, mercenary Treasury, whose prime fault is “ that of the Dutch; it gives too little, while it asks too much." The lands in this district happen to be placed in a position sufficiently difficult and unsatisfactory without having obstacles placed in the way of the settlers in their desire to acquire them. The 19th and 20th clauses of the Regulations give an absolute right to purchase lands which have been submitted to auction and not sold and paid for, for a period of 12 months after such auction. But a provision, never intended to have an arbitrary construction, authorizes the Superintendent to "cause any lands which shall not have been applied for,” after the auction, to be resubmitted to auction, instead of veiling them by private application. A liberal ‘interpretation of the Act would at least give the public an opportunity to purchase privately, instead of wresting it from them, to the great inconvenience and annoyance of all. We suggest to the Government the advisability of making some arrangements by which the remaining sections unsold from the forthcoming sale, may be open for selection for some time, on application to some accredited agent in Gisborne.