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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 80, 20 August 1873, Page 2

Commission Court.—An announcement was made on Saturday morning last, in both English and Maori to the effect that the Commission was adjourned until Saturday next the 23rd inst. Constable Mills was despatched to Napier immediately after with telegraphic despatches for the Government, and will probably return to Gisborne on Friday night.

Immigration Forms.-—Application forms for persons wishing to send to Europe for their friends or relatives under the Assisted Immigration Scheme of the Government, can be had gratis at the Standard office.

Quadrille Assembly.—At a meeting of the members held on Saturday evening last, it was resolved to commence the next quarter on Tuesday next the 26th .inst. Tickets for renewed membership, one guinea each for the quarter, can be obtained of Mr. Best, the Hon. TreasurerApplications for the enrolment of new member? must be made to the Committee.

The Telegraph.—We are glad to be able to announce the completion of the survey of the telegraph line to Gisborne from the Wairoa and Napier. We understand that the Telegraph and Post Office will now be proceeded with at once, and the erection of the wires without any unnecessary delay. In this matter it is to be hoped that the Government will give our wants a willing ear. This M the only portion of the whole colony—with the exception of about 100 miles between Wanganui and Taranaki —shut out from the world ; and the exigencies of the time, should press sufficiently into notice, as to obtain the relief we stand so much in need of.

Excelsior Troupe.—Last Thursday night this Troupe gave a benefit to the Band Fund, and, under the circumstances, had a pretty fair house. This is their last performance here as a troupe, although we hear that some of its members have decided on staying yet awhile amongst us, and possibly giving a few entertainments. They purpose performing in the theatre at Ormond on Wednesday evening next, the 27th instant. We regret to announce that this truly deserving Troupe have sustained severe losses during their stay here, chiefly through the inclement weather we have experienced of lat e. The Gisborne Dramatic Club have generously come forward to assist them in the hour of need, and purpose assisting in n joint performance for the benefit of the troupe at an early date. We wish them both every possible success.

Deputation.—The deputation appointed by the meeting last Friday night, to wait on the Commissioners to ascertain their views as to the propriety of keeping the Court open, until a reply had been received from the Government, seem to have forgotten the most interesting part of their business, namely to let the public know the reply they received from the Commissioners. We have been favored with permission to state that the Commissioners, while readily acknowledging the feeling which prompted the movement, thought that they were not in a position to take upon themselves the responsibility of a possible collision between the settlers and the natives which the carrying out of the view urged by the deputation might entail; and that, under the circumstances it would be better to adjourn the Court for a week, as by that time they would probably be in possession of the views of the Government upon the matter.

Parliamentary Papers.—The “ reports from Officers in Native Districts,” are amongst the interesting papers presented to Parliament this Session. In referring to Native matters at Poverty Bay under date June 12th, 1873 Dr. Nesbitt thus writes :—“ The Native population of the Poverty Bay district are in a satisfactory condition, numbering about 500 souls. There has not been much mortality amongst them for the last two years; they are generally speaking amenable to the law, and willing to avail themselves of European institutions. There are three Native schools in the district, with an average attendance of fifty scholars in each. The Natives are in receipt of a considerable sum annually from rents, and are consequently well off for all the necessaries of Maori life, and are unfortunately able to indulge in some of the luxuries of European life in the form of drunkenness, which is rather prevalent. Great dissatisfaction is evidenced at the nature of land tenure, and much anxiety to have it altered. There is also a disposition lately apparent to repudiate former bargains in the disposal of their land. This tendency has, I think, originated in consequence of communications with Napier; but, on the whole, the Natives seem to entertain a spirit of loyalty, and a wish to conform (as far as they know) to European customs. Their sanitary condition is good, no epidemics having visited the district since 1870, except low fever, which was limited in extent. About 250 have been vaccinated, including children and adults.”