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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 127, 27 January 1874, Page 2

Calcutta Sweep. -The sporting fraternity are notified that “ book making” commences to-night at 8.30 sharp. (Vide advertisement.) Labor. — The Superintendent has sent notices to the various Highway Boards in the Province inviting them to report from time to time any demand for labor arising in their several districts.

Road Board Grant. —The distribution of the General Government Road Board Grant for the year 1873-4 appears in a recent Provincial Government Gazette. “ Poverty Bay ” is apportioned £B3O 10s and “Turanga” £156 13s both coming under the head of “Class IV outlying, partially settled, and poor districts.”

New Arrival of Old Settlers.—We are glad to welcome back to this enterprising settlement one of its oldest settlers —Mr. Bradley (now of the firm of Bradley and St.eggail)—arrived with his family on Saturday by the Star of the South, after an absence of some years. New Builder. — Mr. Alfred Martin announces this morning that he has commenced business in Gisborne as a Builder and Contractor. Mr. Martin is engaged on Clarke’s hotel, Captain Read’s house, and several other buildings in the township. This kind of business seems to be in great demand.

Late News.—By the Star of the South on Saturday, we beheld two phenomena. 1. English Telegrams only ten days from London. 2. A Weekly News of the 24th January, the dayjof its publication in Auckland. We are particularly obliged to our contemporary for ante-printing his publication as it gave us the pleasure stated above. [advertisement.]

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STANDARD, y Sir, —In respect to the case Johnson Bros, and Westrup v. Weston, I am at a loss to understand why Lougher’s evidence should have such weight with the R.M., considering that Westrup told Weston and I to burn anywhere on the run after he told Lougher not to burn on the hills. As Lougher stated in his evidence it was in December, 1872 that Westrup told Lougher about burning, subsequent to that, in February, 1873 Westrup told Weston and I to burn anywhere on the run. It was also sworn to in Court that the fern would not burn for three or four years, if so how is it that Westrup, or his men, were burning on the same ground last week ? Westrup also stated on oath that he had suffered at least £l5O loss through the fire in question, it was certainly very lenient on the part of the prosecutors to claim but one-third of that amount, especially as they entertain anything but a friendly feeling towards the defendant. But looking at it from another point. If they had sued for the full amount it would not have been heard at the R.M.’s Court, and inthat event Weston would have had justice. Now Mr. Editor is it likely if Weston had kindled the fire contrary to Westrup’s orders that he would have acknowledged it so readily when asked by Westrup if it was he who had done it ? 2. No one could have sworn it was Weston, or any other man for that matter, considering Maoris were frequently on the run killing pigs and making fires to singe them, about thbt time, In my humble opinion it is time we had a change in the office of Resident Magistrate; we want one less subservient to “ squatocracy,” and less partial to his personal friends ; then perhaps it would be worthy the name of a Court of Justice, not a mere farce as it is at present. Apologizing for trespassing on your valuable space. —I am, &c., W. H. Blank. Puketapu, January 26, 1874.