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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 291, 21 July 1875, Page 2

Ths Govebnob’s Speech.—We had made arrangement to have the Governor’s speech telegraphed to us in time to present, it to our readers this morning ; but on account of the inexorable closing of the Telegraph Office at 5 o’clock last evening we are unable to do so. We are saved some pounds expense, but our readers lose the news. A point might bo stretched on extraordinary occasions with great advantage to the service.

Tenders are called for by Mr. J. R. Morgan for alterations to Mr. Adams’ premises in the Gladstone road. Bradshaw’s Guidi.—Mr. F. J. Piesse has been appointed agent at Gisborne for this most useful work now in course of compilation at Dunedin.

Musical Society.—A Committee meeting of this Society will beheld in the Masonic Hall this Evening at 7 o’clock. We learn that practice will take place after the other business has been desposed of.

Valuator and Collector.—We notice that the Road Board have decided on inviting private applications for tlie assessment of property, and collection of the rates during the current year. Would it not be more in consonance wilh established usage, as well as satisfactory to the public, if these duties were open to public competition ? Fence Viewers—lt will be seen on reference to the Fencing Act now in force that Mr. Meld ruin’s election to the office is incompatible with his other oflice as Sheep Inspector; the election is, therefore, void, and the vacancy will have to be Ailed in the same way as is provided in the case of vacancies at a District Board, under the Highways Act.

Road Rates. —We observe that the Tauranga Highway Board have gone about their work in a thoroughly practical, systematic manner by the chairman reading his.report at the annual meeting of ratepayers, remarking at. length upon every transaction of interest that had occurred during the past year. The meeting struck a rate of one penny in the pound on the value to sell. Customs. —We are glad to learn that Mr. Harris has got relief at last in the Customs department at Gisborne. Mr. Alfred Carter —son, we believe, of the late Captain Carter, an early settler in Hawke’s Bay—having been appointed as assistant. The Customs receipts, have increased so very satisfactorily, of lute, and the work attendant thereon having got beyond the powers of any one man to perforin, it is but due te the efficiency of the department that additional assistance should be granted. Their present apartment, however, is hardly big enough for the Collector and his Sub. to work in together, so that the next step must be either to erect the Government buildings, or find them a more suitable office.

East Coast Road.—Our East. Coast friends will be glad to learn that some improvements are about to be effected on the road between Gisborne and Waiapu. Mr. Lambert has returned from a journey thither, and reports that some of the work is already in hand, parties of Natives having been engaged for that purpose. The principal places selected for immediate work are at Makarori and Tatapori points, the Tapuae rocks, and the Toioga Buy hill. This hill, although decent, for travelling in summer time, requires some little attention, especially in some of the swampy portions which, even to the wary, are often a source of much discomfort and delay in getting their horses bogged. The big rock on the Tawhiti hill is also to be removed, which will give great satisfaction to those whose business calls them over this dangerous spot. Other improvements are contemplated so soon as the weather is propititious.