SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1874.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 208, 26 September 1874, Page 2

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1874.

It is a desirable thing to live in the good estimation of all men, particularly those amongst whom we “live, and “move, and have our being.” There are those in every community whose opinion we should respect, and not a few whose kindly offices as citizens we should act wisely to think on twice before we did or said anything calculated to forfeit the one, or to endanger the other. In our own sphere of action, we are surrounded by men whose predilections and sympathies are strong; whose opinions, although sometimes erroneous, are, nevertheless, entitled to respectful consideration, and which we would rather have expressed in candid opposition, than that they should “nurse their wrath to keep it “warm,” against a day of judgment, for which they have the ignoble patience to wait with a humiliating fear of consequences. We have been led into a train of reflective thought upon the mutability of public opinion in general, where, perhaps, (as in many instances it is so) that opinion is built up, as bricks in a chimney, layer upon layer, the ideas of one man resting so dependently upon those of another, that you have only to knock away the bottom layer to destroy the whole fabric;—and upon the fickleness, and baselessness of that class of opinion, however clearly expressed, that is more confined in its action, but begotten of either prejudice, or an equally self-deceiving assumption of intentional personal wrong. It is upon both these phases of “opinion” that we wish now to speak.

In our issue of September 16, the merest accident, caused us to clip from an exchange, an extract on “The Good Templar Movement,” which we transferred to our columns, in the ordinary way without a word of comment, both of which facts—the transference and the editorial silence—have acted as opposing forces in the minds of some of the brethren of the craft belonging to the Turanganui Lodge of Good Templars. Some aver that the publication of the article shows a kindly disposition towards them and their principles, which we should have evinced before; while others as stoutly maintain that its appearance is, what it should be, a direct slap at all Good Templars. Against has been asserted pretty freely that nothing has ever appeared in our columns in direct support of the Good Templar cause, that, in fact, we are no friend to their principles; while we have lost no opportunity to “crack up,” as they say, the cause of Publicans, and, we suppose, of all other sinners not included within the Good Templar pale, and not bound by an ascetic abjuration of those things which the Good Templars profess to disapprove of. In proof of this, reference is made to the fact that in sticking to our principles of Freetrade, we, on a late occasion, supported the petition for another public house to be opened in the township, and so, indirectly, promoted that which we should be foremost in condemning— namely: the prevalence of the vice of drunkenness. This proof is clenched by the steam hammer of palpable conviction, in that we recently published an extract from the speech made by Professor Fawcett, before some of his constituents at Brighton, who were

favorable to Sir Wilfred Lawson’s “Permissive Prohibitory Bill,” in which (if our opinion be asked) we think the Professor made some very sage remarks, in opposition to that measure.

Our object, in alluding to this matter, is neither to advocate nor condemn either “Good Templarism,” or the “Permissive” question. We bring these facts forward now, as they have been presented to us during the past week, in order to express our repudiation of any of the imputations which have been so readily placed to our credit. We have given no more support to the “Publicans” as a class, than we have to the “Good Templars” as a body. We have condemned the latter in no greater measure than we have the former; and we certainly have not gone out of our way to do either. The principle of “fair field and no favor,” which we have always advocated, is in direct antagonism to any such hypotheses as those so deftly and mistakingly arrived at by our friends. It is no part of our duty as journalists

to play off one section of society against another; and it is repugnant to our notions of justice and candour, to produce anything in our columns under a veil, or so shaded to hide the real views which we entertain respecting it. It is not a fault with which we can be charged as a rule, that we do not hit out straight from the shoulder. The physical practice which taught us in youth to hold our heads erect; to receive the blow manfully, and to avoid “round-about” hitting— as cows kick—has followed us in the mental exercises of after life. We scout the idea of attempting to ridicule the Good Templar Movement, as sincerely as we do the attempt to shackle the free and independent expression of our views on any subject that comes under our notice. The institution of the Good Templars is good enough in itself; so is the institution of the Licensed Victuallers; they twain have their duty to perform to society, and our idea is that each should be allowed to stand or fall on its own merits. We have ever considered it a bad cause that builds up its own reputation on the wreck of any other equally reputable; and as we believe it to be our duty to support any movement that has the present and ultimate good of the people for its object; we shall— without compromising ourselves by an identification with it—always be foremost in giving such our warmest advocacy; and we can only assure our friends the “Good Templars” that so far from undermining their cause, or “damning them with faint praise,” we shall emit no uncertain sound upon either side of the question, whenever duty calls upon us to do so.

Patutahi Sale.—We learn that Mr. W. S Greene will conduct the auction sale of Patutahi grass to-day, at 12 o'clock, at the Court House, Gisborne. Billiard Tournament.—We would remind those who are desirous of entering the list of competitors, that there are but ten vacancies left, to secure which early application is necessary.

Assessment List.—The roll of ratepayers assessed by the Road Board for the current year, is now open for inspection in the Court House. The amount, as it stands at present is set down at about £800.

Welcome Home.—We have much pleasure in welcoming the manager of the Gisborne branch of the Bank of New Zealand—G. R. Turner, Esq.,—who, accompanied by Mrs. Turner, returned from the South by the Rangatira on Wednesday last. Volunteer Regulations.—Among other papers received by last, mail from the Government printer at Wellington, we notice a General Government Gazette containing a revised code of Regulations for the guidance of Volunteers. We understand there are some important alterations in them, and our file copy is at the service of any Volunteer inclined to peruse it.

Oil Spring Shares.—The Directors of the Poverty Bay Petroleum and Kerosene Company notify that an additional 500 shares of the reserved lot, are under offer to non-share-holders at ten shillings premium, twenty shillings to be paid on application, and thirty shillings on allotment. The list will close on the 24th of October proximo.

Waikanae Bridge.—Now that the summer is coming round again, we should like to know what probability there is of the footbridge over the Waikanae stream being erected. We believe some of the subscriptions have been paid; and we have a dim recollection of having paid our own guinea, if not, the promise to pay can be redeemed at any moment. The Road Board will, doubtless, ratify the promise made by their predecessors last year, by subsidising the work; and, we feel confident that the town residents will come forward with alacrity in the promotion of a work which will, this summer, be more of a necessity than ever. Whoever has this work in hand we would beg of them either to go on with it, or return the money collected, and let some one else do it. Musical Society.—At. the gathering of our local muscal talent in the Court House last Thursday evening, for practice, arrangements were concluded for establishing a Musical Society in Gisborne. A committee of six gentlemen were elected, with Mr. Graham as Chairman, who will act as conductor. Some 20 names were enrolled as active members; and everything promises well for a successful season. We have but one hope to express relative to this Society, and that is that it will not follow in the footsteps of the others which have lived but too brief a period to realise the promises of the start. Most persons are getting tired of handing out guineas for this and that society, which seem to be formed only to disappoint expectation. The old Musical Society is not forgotten yet, —the Band Club has dropped into an existence on the other side of oblivion; and the Dramatic Society seems to be in the throes of dissolution. All these represent money, and public spirit will not always be imposed upon; therefore we trust that the present Musical Society will be more enduring than those that have preceded it.

Dog Nuisance.—The activity with which the new brooms of official vigilance used to rid the streets of canine nuisances seems to have ceased. Not only are the thoroughfares infested with mongrels of every conceivable size, color, and uselessness, but liberty is given to such an extent that gardens, backyards and private dwellings are not safe from depredations. Yesterday we heard that two dogs had recently paid a visit to Mr. Breingan's flock at Whataupoko and killed at least three sheep which Mr. Breingan witnessed himself; he gave chase to the dogs on horseback, and he is uncertain how many more they may have killed as he heard them on the run long after dark. It is a protection from exactly this kind of infliction that dogs are required to be not only registered, but to be kept with, and under the control of, some responsible person when off the chain. It is a great mistake to suppose that by getting a registered collar put round a dog’s neck, it is at liberty to roam about at large.

Blackswans.—These birds are largely on the incerease in this district, several flocks having been lately seen in the neighborhood of Oweta and Pakirikiri. Fish, Fruit, and Vegetables.—These three articles of daily consumption seem to be sadly unattended to by our local tradesmen and purveyors, although we are glad to see that one or two shops are opening up a trade in that direction in the town. By the last trip of the Pretty Jane from Auckland a stock of vegetables was amongst the list of importations from that port for re-sale here. These consisted of carrots, turnips, cabbages and other kinds which, goodness knows, ought to be found in sufficient quantities in the Bay to obviate the necessity of sending for them to a market 300 miles away. It cannot be said that, like potatoes, these vegetables are not grown extensively enough to provide the home market, for the evidence is to the contrary. Let any one take a ride through the country districts during the summer season, and he will see gardens well stocked with various kinds of comestible green food, absolutely rotting in the ground because the product is beyond the power of the family consumption where they are grown, while the residents in Gisborne, where few can cultivate a garden successfully, are debarred the luxury of their enjoyment. It occurs to us that a market garden is much wanted to supply the town, and, if properly conducted, must be a profitable investment. We have noticed a more plentiful supply of shell fish—as oysters and cray fish—lately in the shops; but why some one does not take the matter in hand and keep up a daily yield of the other kinds which are plentiful in our rivers, and on the coast, we are at a loss to conjecture. It requires no capital to start with, and the profits are certainly large enough to make it a paying occupation.