CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 318, 23 October 1875, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

:o: Our columns are open for free discussion ; but we do not hold, ourselves responsible for tha opinions of our Correspondents,

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I am glad to learn that the counter petition to that sent to Judge Rogan some time since—praying that the Native Land Court may be held at Makaraka instead of at Gisborne —is being numerously signed, and will be presented to Judge Rogan on his return from Wairoa. The counter-petition sets forth many objections, the chief of which is, that the traders of Gisborne (or publicans principally,) will materially suffer from loss of Maori custom. I take a different view ; and not being one likely either to suffer or be benefitted very much wherever the court sits, can express an opinion quite devoid of personal interest. The sitting of the Court at Makaraka can only retard rather than increase the expedition of its business; there is no accommodation there, although I learn it is Mr. Higgins’ intention to erect a stable, and to place it at the service of the Government for the occasion ; if so it is difficult to consider it otherwise than an attempt to subordinate public to private interests. Time is no object with the natives ; but with Europeans, the continual journeying to and from town, ■would be a useless waste of valuable time, and also prove a source of much unnecessary inconvenience and annoyance. There can be no valid argument in favor of holding the Court. at Makaraka, except it be for the express purpose of doing Mr. Higgins a good turn, but this is so monstrous a proposal that I cannot believe Judge Rogan would so far forget his official dignity and duty to the public as to lend himself to it; still it is with paiu that I ses he has expressed himself as being favorable to the request of the petitioners. Whoever may have initiated the petition to move the Court from Gisborne, certainly did not do so in the interests of the Maoris, since a large number of them is signing a similar petition to that of the Gisborne settlers, against it —a fact which has its own significance. Gisborne is the head quarters of the Government departments ; and the public will not readily submit to a nomadic Land Court wandering about the Bay at the instigation of individual publicans. A request from Mr. Saunders, at Waerenga-a-hika, and Messrs Buchanan and Villers at Ormond, might be entertained with far greater show of reason. —I am, &c., _ Obiter.

Sir, from the recent concerts which have been given in Gisborne, there can be little doubt that our amateur entertainments have been deteriorating very perceptibly during the last two years. The talent may still remain amongst us, but various causes prevent a large portion of that talent from being available. Performers are not (as they should be) selected for what they can do ; but, mainly, for their social position, or their balance at a banker’s. It may be unpleasant to some of those who are ultra relined, for the common herd to “ come betiveenthe wind and their nobility” but it is found in the old country, that a union of members who individually are widely apart in status can be managed. Reciprocal courtesy in the practice-room does not mean an invitation to dinner next day, neither is a gushing friendship necessarily the result of a duet on the platform. Petty jealousies and caprices are other fertile causes of failure. So many wish to play Hamlet, that none are left for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ; the wishes of the aspirants are granted, and a maimed performance is the result. By these means the standard of publictaste is lowered, as a late letter of “ Yacksley’s” in the Herald on “ comicsinging,” &c., fullyiproves. His ignorance would have merited silent contempt, only that the second production of the caucus belli gives it an undue pron inence. By all means let the Musical Society cultivate the comic element; its impcriance in an ordinary concert room can hardly be overrated; but can mere personalities, without the aid of even passable singing, be desirable, especially when causing the disturbance witnessed upon a late occasion ? The impertinence of the compa-

rison drawn between one song and the other is simply ludicrous. The chivalnc indignation on behalf of the “ poor telegraph clerk,” would have been much more appropriately vented upon those, who, for their own private amusement, took advantage of his innocent vanity, to make him a laughing stock to the public. Let petty squabbles be put to one side ; let there be a reasonable fraternization during practice ; give the best performers their proper position ; throw over partiality ; carefully select the best of each stylo of production, aud amateur entertainments will again hold the deservedly high position to which they once attained in this place. Apologising for trespassing to such an extent upon your valuable space.—l am, &c., Crotchet.