THE STANDARD. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 94, 8 October 1873, Page 2

THE STANDARD.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 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.

With the present issue of the Standard begins the second year of its existence; and perhaps we may be pardoned if we turn temporarily aside to express our satisfaction at the results which have fol-

lowed the somewhat difficult operation of establishing this section of the Fourth Estate in Gisborne. Twelve months have elapsed since our first unpretentious sheet saw the light; and with all the imperfections which studded it; (and they were many) ; notwithstanding all the obstacles in our path, and difficulties under which we labored, (and they were not a few) we trust those who began with us, and those who have helped to swell our subscribers’ roll since, have, with ourselves, no cause for regret, on account of either the management of our journal, or the principles enunciated in it. What we wrote last year in our first number, as conveying an idea of the “ platform” on which we should take our stand, we have zealously endeavoured to maintain. The triplet maxim which heads this column has been our rule, and we are keenly sensible of what we have staked in its defence. We know we have lost in one direction, but we have gained much in many others ; and the enlarged form of our issue, and additional subscribers and customers, are a gratifying testimony that our course has been faithfully, if not at all times correctly, steered, —and that, consequently, our labors have not been in vain.

Nothing is more difficult in small communities than to avoid running counter to some one 1 s hobby —and it is still more difficult to do so, without a possibility that they who are brought under the mild castigation of public criticism, will not make a personal application of it to themselves. There is an over-sensitive-ness in the belief of most people that criticism is akin to enmity ; and that to employ the one, is to indulge the other. The public questions we have discussed and brought under notice ; the evils we have censured ; the complaints we have made; the wrongs we have endeavoured to redress ; the rights we have tried to maintain —all have had but one motive power, “ the greatest good of the greatest “ number.”

The good opinion of our fellow 7 men, is a jewel which no prudent man would willingly forfeit or reject. We know but too well that in the firm maintenance of our creed we have had to put some to the test, and so force them to choose between a quasi good opinion, with their faults uncovered, and an open resentment, with them laid bare. We have had to risk much in compassing small ends ; and we have had to bear the hatred of unphilosophical minds. This we regret, but cannot help; it is a part of the reward which we could see plainly from the beginning; and we need not repeat that, so long as we are conscious of doing our duty, no terrors of that kind will unnerve us.

In reviewing the circumstances —eventful though they may be in many respects —of the past twelve months ; in taking note of the altered condition of our port and district; in marking the onward march of prosperity ; the, additions to our population ; the number of our institutions ; the general aspect of healthiness which pervades our business relations ; the increase of our commerce; the tide of observation which has set in to our shores ; and the men of mark and capital attracted hither from without — we think it not unreasonable to believe that in the extended circulation accorded to it, the Standard has been somewhat instrumental in thus promoting the general welfare. It would be insincere to affect not to believe this ; as it is our firm conviction —strengthened by years of observation and experience—that our powers for promoting the interests of the commonweal are in exact proportion to the means we employ conscientiously to secure that end.

In a pecuniary sense, the success which has attended our undertaking, is, so far, satisfactory. A newspaper, like most other professions or businesses, is just what it is made to be. The present condition of the Standard is a proof of the necessity that existed for its first appearance ; and for the liberal support which has been accorded it we are grateful, and “ shall continue to merit ” as advertisers say. We are, however, far from saying that it has yet arrived at what we are striving to make it in general appearance. There are many defects which we trust but a short time will see removed. We are not unmindful of the just causes of complaint many of our country subscribers have in the irregular delivery of their copies ; but these we hope will become fewer, as it is our study to reduce them as much as possible. With the extension of the Electric Telegraph to Gis-

borne, a large increase of expense will fall on us, which we must accept either in the shape of an enlarged sheet, or a more frequent issue ; and either or both of these, we shall not be behind hand in providing so long as we possess the confidence and support of the community. With these few acknowledgments we cast the bread of our labors upon the waters of hope for another year.