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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 75, 2 August 1873, Page 2

Road Board Minutes. —It may have been already noticed that the minutes of the proceedings of the Road Bord, generally convey anything but an accurate idea of the business transacted at its meetings. Particularly is this observable in the account of what is supposed to be done at the meeting of the 19th July, and published in our last issue. Some time since the Secretary obligingly undertook to save us “ much arduous labor ” by revising the rough minutes himself, so that we might only have to copy them from the minute book. In the present instance this has been done; and all we can say is that if our readers are satisfied with them, we are not. We will take one or two instances. “ Mr. Dalziell furnished his report for the duties of Poundkeeper.” If this means anything, why are the public not made acquainted with the nature of the report ? He also “ returned the book.” Did he, indeed! What book ? Wi Pere has applied to erect a swing gate at “ the end of the Toanga river” perhaps the Secretary has mis-written swing - gate for flood, - gate. But supposing there be a “Toanga river,” which end is to have a gate to keep the water in or out? Mr. Pritchard wants to lease “some” land in the township of Gisborne, which is very natural; bnt the information would have been more complete, if it had stated what “ the land in question ” was over which “ the Board hold no authority. Again, the decision of the Board is given relative to a Petiton presented to the Superintendent by “ settlers on the west side of the Waipaoa river.” We are left to find out the prayer of the Petition; but supposing that it is in favor of a separate Highway District, it is certainly only due to the Ratepayers interested, that the Petition itself should have been made public. There were four tenders for building two punts, two were rejected, but what of the others? .The Secretary then reports the Engineer aa having “ replaced ” a culvert which was only out of order, and so on. We have drawn attention to these discrepancies, aa, if the

information be for the good of the public, it is necessary that it should be put in such an intelligible form that “they who run may read."

Separation Petition.— Thia Petition is now ready for signature at the office of this paper. Road Boabd Punts. —We observe that the difference between the highest and lowest tender for building two punts for the Road Board is £184! or £54 more than the amount of the lowest tender for doing the whole work. Mr. Ross, the highest, tendered at £157 each, and Mr. Steele, the lowest, at £l3O for the two; surely one of the two must have been adrfit. Pamphlet.—By the last mail from the South we received from John Henderson Esq. C.E. (Messrs. Brogden’s representative in New Zealand) a pamphlet containing “ The proposal made by Messrs. Brogden and Sons to entrust to a Company the construction and management of the public railways in New Zealand.” From the cursory glance we have taken of this work, it seems to have been carefully compiled and thoughtfully worked out. We shall take an early opportunity of giving it a more extended notice than we are able to do at present. Gisborne Libbaby.—lt is contemplated by the Committee, so we are informed, to give an entertainment, shortly, for the purpose of augmenting the funds of this Library. It is a pity that a public body of this kind, and conducted in the admirable and economical way in which the Gisborne Library is, should have to trust to accidental aid for its support, or close its doors. But out of evil much good may come; as a successful entertainment may be the means of imparting a vitality which, these Institutions generally seem to lack in the early days of their career.

Tubanganui Native School. —Mr. Bryant, the teacher of this school, has at last, deemed it necessary to send in his resignation to the Government. We are unable to state the immediate cause of Mr. Bryant’s determination ; but there can be no doubt that the conduct of the Inspector, Colonel Russell, has led up to it, in some considerable way ; and the Government may rely upon it that if the teachers of these schools continue to be treated as they have been, they will only remain in the position just so long as it suits their purpose as a stepping stone to something better. Challenge.—The following all-world challenge has been handed to us by Captain Simpson for publication. The Bay of Plenty Volunteers are not unknown to fame outside the sphere of their usual practices, the Cavalry corps containing among their number men who have beaten everything before them. They confine their weapons to the Snider carbine, which will probably limit the chances of the challenge being taken up to the Poverty Bay Cavalry or A.C. Force -, nevertheless we hope it will not be disregarded:— “Opotiki, July 14, 1873. —Captain Simpson, Dear Sir, —Having heard that you intend starting for Gisborne to-morrow, I thought it advisable to request you to inform any Volunteers that may be there, that the Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry are desirious to fire a friendly match with any other Corps, Troop, or A.C. force with Snider carbines; our team consists of ten members. — Faithfully, yours, John F. Connelly. P.B.—We are not particular what we fire for.