The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1874.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 190, 25 July 1874, Page 2

The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.)

SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1874.

“ We shall sell to no man justice or right: U e .hall deny io no man justice or right: We shall defer to no luan justice or right.”

As this is the last opportunity we shall have of addressing the Ratepayers previous to the Annual Election on Tuesday next, we desire to make a few observations to our readers, in addition to what we have already written on the subject. The business got through at the meeting held in the Court House on 'Wednesday evening last, — although thinly attended, consequent on the bad weather prevailing —may be taken as an earnest that white the Ratepayers are anxious to have a full explanation of the Board’s affairs, they are also desirous of having the business conducted in an ordt rly and systematic manner. With this view a number of resolutions, and other questions were brought before the meeting on Wednesday to be submitted to the Annual Meeting, and which wil], we think, greatly facilitate the conduct of business thereat. Eor our own part we entirely deprecate anything like factious opposition. So likewise do we dissent from the opinion, pretty freely expressed, that an organization was got up for the special purpose of frustrating the object which the Board had in view in giving up their office at the end of the year. That opposition was shown to be a painful necessity, is a fact; but, as we have said before, let the Board evince a conciliatory spirit, and exhibit less desire to “ jump on ” any Ratepayer who, iu a less cultivated manner than is pleasant, puts an awkward question which may be considered; after all, irrelevant. It may help those who are somewhat unacquainted with the usual proceedings of public meetings to observe here, that, at the meetings that have been, and are to be held, arrangements have been, and will be made, by which a regular routine may be observed;

and it will be as well if those arrangements are carried into effect, before any subject which has not been discussed is brought forward, independently. There is too much to be done to waste time in the doing of it; and as the several matters on which information is required are of the greatest importance: and the various questions to be settled must provoke discussion, we would express an earnest hope that the Ratepayerswill not lay themselves open to the accusation of “ throwing the, first stone.” A Ratepayer at the Annual Meeting said he considered, (and he backed up his assertion pretty warmly,) that a Committee ought to be appointed to investigate the method of administration which the Board has adopted during its tenure of office; and particularly with reference to the expenditure of money. This would be inadvisable for many reasons ; the chief of which would be the difficulty of getting persons qualified for the duty; and the expense attending it. We scout the idea, as unworthy of a moment’s consideration, and as outside the question at issue, of a lurking suspicion that the Board have, either collectively or individually, made a personal, or other mal-appropriatiou of public mo’nies; and we do not believe that such a monstrous insinuation would have been dreamed of, if some of the members themselves had not gratuitously projected it as a herring across the trail, to draw attention from the main question. Besides, the information which it was proposed should be obtained through the medium of a special Committee of Ratepayers—even supposing that they possess such functions—can, or ought to be, obtainable direct from the Members of the Board ; and if the Ratepayers are dissatisfied with their explanation, then it is quite competent for them to take such steps to prevent a repetition of what may be deemed to be unsatisfactory, as arc constitutionally correct. No more is demanded : no less can be accorded.

The Pretty Jane’s arrival yesterday places us in possession of no further information than that received per Rangatira last Sunday, having left Auckland on Monday evening. In the Supreme Court, the lad Browne was acquitted of the charge of attempted burning of Must’s buildings; and from Alexandra we have the alarming fact that “ There is great cxcite- “ meal among the storekeepers over na- “ five corn. Teeth lost, and black eyes “are prevailing. Maize is selling at “ seven shillings.”