The Standard. (PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY, AND SATURDAY.) TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1874.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 133, 10 February 1874, Page 2

The Standard. (PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY, AND SATURDAY.)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1874.

" 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.”

The General Government some time since instructed Captain Porter to report on what lines of road are more immediately necessary to be laid off in this district, with a view’ to their survey and proclamation by the Governor under the Public orks Act. Captain Porter accordingly reported that in his opinion one of the earliest and most urgently-required roads lay along that—until lately-temi incognita known as the Mangat u. In support of his opinion, Captain Porter had to advance certain reasons, based upon public requirements and utility, from which the Government would be able to judge of the soundness of his recommendations. Amongst others are to be found the facts that it will form an intermediate link between Ormond and the Opotiki road now r being made by Mr. Simpson ; that it is a preliminary step towards, and an essential feature"in, the opening of the Motu Block; and, not the least, that a good road in the direction indicated will tend materially towards developing the Oil Springs, by aiding our local Company, in an indirect way, in the settlement of a large Colonial question, viz., the production of kerosene oil. It- is satisfactory to know that the Government have met . this proposal in a liberal spirit, and have instructed Captain Porter to proceed .with the work at once. Mr. Drummond, C.E., has, accordingly been appointed to make a reconnoissauce survey, as a preliminary to laving off the line so soon as the most practicable route shall have been determined on. This, Mr. Drummond, will commence to-day;

in the mean time, representations are to be made to the General Government, showing the necssity that exists for the immediate formation of the road.

The presence of the Superintendent at this juncture, will probably form the best and most effective means by which the General Government may be made aware of the interests involved in this undertaking, which we gladly accept as a gratuitous instalment of justice. The particular object of his first official visit to Poverty Bay would be hardly achieved if he does not identify the wants of the settlers as claiming his first care and continued support. We believe that he will do this. And, considering the position he occupies as a supporter of the Central Government, it is a matter for congratulation that we possess in Mr. Williamson, a Superintendent who is determined to make himself practically acquainted with the affairs of the province under his rule. Properly, this may be a matter which official etiquette and responsibility should put on the shoulders of Mr. Ormond, as East Coast Agent; but we shall be glad to learn that the Government consider that gentleman has quite sufficient to attend to nearer home, and not give him work to do which goes against the grain. Mr Ormond has no political sympathy with any portion of the province of Auckland, and much as he would like to take this district under his care as Superintendent, we have no friend in him in any other capacity, and not a sincere one in that. We have seen it already in this very question of roads, for it is not much more than a year since Mr. Ormond wrote to the effect that the General Government considered they had treated the Poverty Bay settlers very liberally in the matter of roads! We see it now in the matter of Immigration, for there can be no doubt that without at all trenching upon provincial authority in this province, he could have helped on the settlement of Poverty Bay very much in virtue of a power which he was until recently enabled to wield in the interests of the Colony. Considered as a Colonial, and not a mere local question—which the Government has initiated independently of its political agent —-we cannot look upon this road extension but with great satisfaction ; and the timely conjunction of the Superintendent’s promised visit, with it, will, we feel confident, do more to advance the true interests of the community than a whole year's diplomacy and letter writing.