The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1874.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 200, 29 August 1874, Page 2

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 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 questioninvolvingthe propriety of the purchase by the General Government of some 20,000 odd scabby sheep which infest the northern sea board between Poverty Bay and East Cape is now receiving due attention. Communications have been passing between . the Government at Wellington and Capt. Porter for some time past with a view to deciding upon the best method of dealing with the matter at once. That officer has, we understand, sent his report to Wellington urging upon the Hon. the Native Minister the desirability of treating at once with the Native owners of the infected sheep and to buy the stock from them for the purpose of boiling down. Capt. Porter has accompanied his report with a Dr. and Cr. statement approximately setting forth the money ” loss that will be entailed by the proposed plan of Government interference. That loss is estimated in round numbers at some, £2,000 a sum that may or may not be correct, and which will be lessened or augmented according to the terms on which the sheep can be purchased, and the condition in which the animals are in both as regards carcass and skin. It is estimated, we believe, that the sheep can be bought for about six shillings a head, and that the plant, and labor necessary for boiling down that number of sheep will cost another £BOO or £7OO. Againstthat it is fairly assumed—indeed, we think, a little inside the mark, unless the wool is much deteriorated — that the 20,000 skins will fetch one shilling each : this will give £l,OOO. Allowing that the yield of tallow will average some 141 b. per head in weight, which taken at 3d. per lb. would give £3500, and deducting 100 per cent—a pretty good margin—for re-sale of plant, it leaves, as we said, some £2,000 to debit of the transaction. A But whatever the sum of the loss may be within range of the foregoing figures, it is as nothing compared to the gain accruing to the district thereby. Considering the peculiar position the Natives stand in with respect to this matter, and their nonliability to the penalty clauses of the Sheep Act, it is the manifest duty of the Government to take such measures as will effectually stamp out the dread disease which has threatened an otherwise clean and healtliy district for some time past. We say that the question of prime cost must not enter into the calculation. That portion of the Government of the country, immediately under the control of the Native Minister'; is responsible, more or less, for things as they exist; and it is of the first importance that the chances of neighboring flocks becoming scabby should be removed altogether, and without another day’s unnecessary delay. Aud for the credit of the district it is to be hoped now that the Government is alive to the importance

and value of the interests at stake, that it will take action in the direction indicated in Capt. Porter’s recommendation.

The intelligence to hand per Pretty Jane from Auckland is of the most interesting character. We have given our readers as large a rescript as the lateness of tha steamer’s arrival will permit. The chief item is the satisfactory one of the successful carriage through, the House of the Premier’s Abolition Resolutions by a majority of 25, and afterwards beating Mr. Fitzherbert who proposed that the present Parliament should be dissolved, and the opinion of the country taken before giving effect to the resolutions.

Sir James Fergusson has resigned the Governorship of New Zealand, and is to be succeeded by the Marquis of Norman by.

Mr. Vogel, and several prominent members of the Lower House have been burnt in effigy on the Barrack hill Auckland ; and two large fires have again occurred in Chicago and Dunedin.

Cafe and Restaurant.—Mr. Rochfort announces that he intends shortly to open a restaurant and oyster saloon, next to the Argyll hotel, Gisborne. Unregistered Brands.—The Registrar of Brands gives notice this morning that from this date he will be compelled to take proceedings against all persons basing unregistered brands in their possession. Mr. Meldrum takes this step with reluctance, but, in justice to those who have conformed to ti e Act, he has no alternative. It is as well to know that there are two heavy penalties attached to the breaking of the law, namely £lO for having brands unregistered in one’s possession ; and £2O for using them.

Dramatic Club. —We regret to learn that the breach between some of the members of this Club, hud already led to a suspension of the performances for «n indefinite period, and is likely to cause a breaking up of the Club altogether. Mr. Bettington, not considering himself fairly treated in the manner of his election to the managership, vice Mr. Berry, has resigned, and Mr. Piesse had been installed in his stead. Two out of the three ladies have withdrawnfrom the boards,as being uncongenial to their tastes, and as there is so much difficulty in obtaining lady members, a “ close ” season seems very likely to be the result. This is unsatisfactory, to say the least of it; and, if faith is not kept with subscribers, will go far to damage the prospect of starting a similar society.