ORMOND.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 140, 26 February 1874, Page 2

ORMOND.

[from oub own correspondent ] February 20. The routine of our daily life is but seldom disturbed by any event of a startling nature; when, therefore, a pair horse Carriage, filled with people clothed in white hats and other gorgeous apparel drove rapidly into this village the other dav, and it became known that these evidences of a higher civilization belonged to His Honor the Superintendent and his Executive, our astonishment was not altogether unmixed with awe at the prospect of encountering so illustrious a party without having made some befitting preparations. But we soon rallied, and although our “go to meeting” garments eould not at the moment be taken from their accustomed pegs behind the doors, we were equal to the occasion, and turned out in our shirt sleeves. It is also true that we labored under the disadvantage of not being able to find our speaker in ordinary to do the needful, neither was our speaker jn extraordinary prepared to say anything; but in spite of these drawbacks, we interviewed His Honor. If I were to say that the result of that interview was altogether satisfactory, I should not be recording the strict truth, but we got the usual amount of assurance from our distinguished visitors, that, barring certain contingencies, which always hamper the good intentions of officialdom, we may expect great things to result from this visit. In short, the only direct evidence that matters affecting our interests would be agreably arranged was to be found in the fact that one member of the official party bears the euphoneous and extremely encouraging name of Allright \ Than which since the days of Adam no official has ever been known to bear such an astoundingly unique cognomen. Had His Honor for instance been christened Allwrong, it would have sounded singular no doulit, but as matters stafid at present, most appropriate, and his sponsors would deserve to be numbered amongst the greatest of the prophets. But an official Allright 1 Was ever such a thing seen or heard of ? Wonders never cease, and here we have the fourteenth wonder of the world. It is comforting to know that there is balm in Gisborne; and it is highly gratifying to our theological feelings that the great sectarian questions which have agitated the world for the last five hundred years or so, are likely to be soon and finally settled. And we are overwhelmed with heartfelt pride and thankfulness when we think that a David has arisen in our little Bethlehem to slay the Goliah of intolerance and sectarianism. In the Rev. Mr. Root, Poverty Bay may glory for ever. “ And Balaam said unto Balaak, thou art the man.” When Mr. Poynter assured the public meeting last week that since neither the General nor the Provincial Government would undertake the task of making our roads, it behoved the district Road Board —of which ho is Chairman—to do that great work, it would have been just as well to let the ratepayers know that the work would be properly done. We are not encouraged that, such will be the case if we are to judge from the specimen of metalling and formation of Gladstone Road, which is now going on. As to our being reimbursed in the outlay for these works by any extant Government, we entertain about as sanguine hopes upon that score as of the advent of a more equitable system of rating. When the Road Board first parted it was understood that its powers were very limited, and that beyond securing rights of way, and levying small rates, and such like menial duties, its functions do not embrace the power to execute large works with the local funds, which, by the way, are ridicuously insufficient, and without any legal authority whatever. ft would be a great convenience to the inhabitants of this part of the Bay if we could get a monthly meeting of the Bench of Magistrates held here. We are not, that I am aware of. a particularly litigious people, but like the rest of the world we have occasion to appeal to the beloved laws of our country now and again, and it would be well for us if the machinery of justice could be brought nearer home, so that we may enjoy the inestimable privilege of sueing and being sued without going thirty miles for it. It is a cruel wrong to a worthy gentleman, and to the community at large for that matter, that our R.M.’s pay is so much less than some of his official contemporaries, who have nothing to do, and we do not, while wishing for a Judicial visit from that officer occasionally, desire to add to his work without some marked addition being made to his pay. The heavens have opened, and the clouds poured out their fatness, and the beautiful rains have refreshed the thirsty earth, so that the hearts of the farmers rejoice. TV e shall have plenty of grass this winter, and you may look to getting your tables spread with fat and juicy meats. But while we are well pleased with . the appearance of our land under the influence of such glorious growing weather, we have on the other hand, and as a sort of set-off to so much good, to contemplate the breaking up of the roads with feelings akin to horror; and we must be resigned, we fear, to another six or eight months of mud, and difficult intercourse with the outer world, It is, however, quite a serious adventure travelling on these roads of a winter’s night. The only consolation we have is that— M hile we sit bousing at the nappy, An getting fou and unco’ happy ; M e think na of the lang, lang, miles, The bogs, the waters, the mud in piles. What Mr. Graham said at the dinner given to His Honor the other day at Gisborne, relative to the capacity of this district to progress and prosper independently of the successful or other-

wise development of the Oil Springs, is perfectly correct, and reflects great credit upon that gentleman’s penetration. The land is all round good, and tho’ comparatively small in quantity, it is able to carry a large and thriving population, providing the inhabitants are moderately sober, and tolerably industrious, and that the promises given by the Superintendent be duly fulfilled, there is no fear as to our future—oil, or no oil. That a branch of the Gisborne Library started here would be a very great boon to us none will gainsay, but under the circumstances of the unsatisfactory state of the funds of that institution, and the difficulty of keeping up fresh supplies of books here without draining the shelves there, this desirable object would seem to be placed out of our reach, for the present at all events. It is pleasant to record that the late performance of the Ormond Dramatic Club was marked by a decided improvement in the choice of the plays, and in the rendering of the different characters and parts, and we trust that their efforts will be appreciated when they entertain you townsfolk.