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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 70, 16 July 1873, Page 2

Roseland Hotel.—The contract for the building of the Roseland Hotel at Makaraka, has been taken by Mr. Renouf of Napier, who will commence the work immediately. Gisbobne Town Lands.—We are puzzled, beyond measure, to know what the Provincial Government can really mean with reference to their action in the matter of the sales of land in this township. The grievances that sit heaviest on the settlers are, Ist. The peremptory withdrawal, of all the sections not sold at the first two auction sales, from private application, and, 2nd, after the third sale in the town of Auckland, the allowing of private applications to be made in Auckland without notifying the feet in this district. Thus those who have a private ear to the public keyhole, possess an advantage which constitutes the most flagrant part of official administration. We feel we cannot write too often or too earnestly on this matter; and, in the face of the feet that a member of the present Government is seeking the suffrages of the electors of this district for the forthcoming Superintendency, we view the conduct of the Auckland authorities with feelings of unmitigated disgust. The Superintendent, under authority of the Waste Lands Act, has the power (which he has exercised) of withdrawing any lands, not sold at auction, from sale for the purpose of having them re-submitted to competition. This has been done on three distinct occasions, until the last sale, since which it appears that the unsold sections are open for application at the upset price. We hear that near a thousand pounds* worth have been sold in this manner since the sale. The reticence maintained by the Government, with respect to this district, is worthy of all condemnation. No one here knew—nor, indeed, knows now, officially tkat the embargo had been taken off the mode of subsequent disposition of these lands; and, although we are in a position to state that applications can be made, accompanied with the upset price of each section, to the Commissioner of Waste Lands, at Auckland, it does not relieve the Government from charges of the most wilful neglect, and most glaring injustice.

Erratum.— A. typographical error occurs in the advertisement calling a public meeting on the Compensation question for next Saturday afternoon. The hour stated should have been 3 o’clock p.m. instead of 11 p.m. Gisbobne Lands.—We are in a position to state from private information, that applications for any of the unsold sections in the township of Gisborne must be made to the Waste Lands Commissioner in Auckland, and not to the Provincial Government as heretofore. Patutahi Block. —The General Government have been successful in their negotiations with the Ngatiporou owners for the sale of their interest in this Block. Captain Porter, we understand, has received instructions to conclude pending arrangements, and to pay the purchase money, £5OOO, forthwith. Auction, Room.—Mr. Blair of the Argyll Hotel is, we observe, building an Auction Room on the corner allotment adjoining the Argyll Hotel. This will be of immense advantage to the town, as much inconvenience has resulted hitherto in having no place in which to hold auction sales. Saturday sales, as in other towns, are required, and should prove remunerative. Robjohns, Teat & Co.— Another Napier firm are showing their confidence in the future prospects of our rapidly-rising township. Messrs. Robjohns, Teat & Co.’s new store, at the corner of the Gladstone-rood and Lowe-street, is in course of erection, and will add much to the business accommodation of the district. It is a commodious structure, —as large and lofty as its neighbor, the Court-house, at the opposite corner —and capable of displaying to advantage the large and varied assortment which Mr. Teat, the Gisborne manager, will be in a position to display to the public in a few weeks hence. An advertisement, to that effect appears in this morning’s issue.