The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) SATURDAY DECEMBER 18, 1875.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 334, 18 December 1875, Page 2

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

SATURDAY DECEMBER 18, 1875.

•• 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 writ for the East Coast Election has been issued, and in this as well as in other matters, the Government have wreaked their vengeance upon Poverty Bay. They have always been deservedly unpopular with us, but this last action of theirs is sufficient to create the most intense feeling of indignation towards them. Not satisfied with refusing to constitute this district a separate electorate, they have basely deprived it of two important polling places, namely, Ormond and Tologa Bay, which, in effect, amounts to a virtual disfranchisement of the large and important part of the electorate, comprehended in the district of Poverty Bay. Under the “ Regulation of Elections Act, 1870,” Ormond and Tologa Bay were duly proclaimed polling places, and have been used as such at the respective elections that have taken place since. To weaken the voting power of Poverty Bay, and thus to strengthen that of the Bay of Plenty—for the express purpose, no doubt, of facilitating the return of the Government henchman, Mr. Kelly—those two polling places have been abolished by a proclamation in a recent Gazette ; and the obvious consequence is that the di.stricthas been ruined in its enfranchised interest; for it would be absurd to suppose that electors residing beyond Ormond, at Tologa Bay, or ou the East Coast, as far as Cape Runaway, would ever, think of coining to Gisborne—the only polling place in the district—to record their votes. Instead of abolishing any of our polling places, several ones ought to have been added, in order to do that justice to the electors, which

the Constitution Act contemiMatCs. Between Opotiki and Wairaa—a dis ance of nearly three hundred,miles —« here is now but one pollkiS place ; and this being so, scores of fr<e and independent electors, o?er that vast extent of country, will not be able to exercise the franchise. Out of nearly four hundred votes in the Poverty Bay district, not more than 160 will, we believe, come to the poll ; and what a damaging effect will this have upon the election, as re ards our interest in it ? The number of polling places in the electorate is seven, of which the Bay of Plenty is favored with five. Here, then, is a positive proof that this district has been intentionally ignored by the-Government, and not accidentally. Thecharacteristic scheming powers of the Native Department have unquestionably been exercisedin thisdirty affair,as they have in many others ; for no member of the Cabinet knows so much of the East Coast, or take such interest in it—when that harmonises with his own interest —as the gentleman who presides over that department. Another disadvantage that Poverty Bay has been subjected to, is that Tauranga — which is situated at the extreme north of the electorate —has been made the place of nomination, and consequently, the principal polling place. Opotiki would be a more central place, but there are special reasons why Tauranga has been selected, and these reasons may fairly be set down as forming a part of those rascally tactics which the Government have thought proper to adopt for the advantage of the Bay of Plenty, and the disadvantage of Poverty Bay. As regards the nomination—an official notice of which appears in another column—an unaccountable blunder has been perpetrated by the Returning Officer, who resides at Maketu, where he holds the office of Resident M agistrate, &is of course, swayed by the Native Department. “ Regulation of Elections Act,” we find by the 18th section thereof, that a Returning Officer is empowered to give from seven to thirty days’ notice of an election ; but of this latitude Mr. Hamlin has not availed himself. The writ was issued on the 6th inst., and the notice of the nomination and polling does not appear in the Poverty Bay press till the 18th, (to-day) thus limiting the notice to the electors to eleven days—the nomination being fixed for the 29th. It would, therefore, be impossible for a candidate residing in Poverty Bay to reach Tauranga in time to address the electors either before or at the nomination, — owing to the difficulty of access to that place; qor would it be possible for a Bay '<jf Plenty candidate to address the Poverty Bay electors, and be back to Tauranga in time for the nomination. Does not this ridiculous arrangement clearly shew how the interest of the electors has been shamefully sacrificed by the Government ? Of course it does. Then again, the same Act specifies that the Governor in Council must be satisfied that each polling place established is more convenient than any other, for at least twenty electors to vote at. In respect, however, to some of the polling places in this electorate, the Act has been grossly violated as regards the convenience of such a number of electors. Wairoa, for instance, is a polling place at which not more than half a dozen, if so many, would vote ; but Ormond is a place at which upwards of fifty votes at least ought to be recorded; while Tologa Bay would poll some thirty or forty. From the date of the issuing of the writs—6th December—to the time at which they are returnable —4th February—there are sixty days; and our election taking place a month before the latter date —thus allowing the Returning Officer twenty-nine days for the return of his writ—constitutes amonstrous injustice to the electors; and a Government who would be guilty of so flagrant an act of circumvention do not deserve to be either respected or confided in.

Our candidate — Mr. Wilson—telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary, demanding the proclamation of Ormond and Tologa Bay as polling places; but to his utter surprise he received, in reply, a telegram stating that this could not be done, as the writ for the East Coast had been issued, and the polling places gazetted. By the 20th section of the “ Regulation of Elections Act,” the Governor has full power, with other Colonial Governors, to appoint as many additional polling places, as may be required, after the writs are issued, and even within two or three days of the nomination. To our own knowledge this has frequently been done in the neighboring Colonies of Australia ; and there is no reason why the same powershould not be exercised here. We earnestly trust that Mr. Wilson will yet insist upon Ormond and Tologa Bay being proclaimed polling places, ‘notwithstanding the answer he received from the Colonial Secretary. We also hope that the candidature of Mr. Wilson, will be unanimously supported throughout the district, seeing that he is the only one put forward by the people here. To carry his candidature to a successful issue,it willbeneeessary to immediately appoint a Committee for the purpose of aiding his return ; and as his views—as annunciated in his publishedaddress—are decidedly liberal, and in accordance with those of the electors, everyone who possesses a vote should record it in his favor. Adherence to one candidate, and to one alone, is absolutely necessary in the present emergency. “ United we stand, divided we fall.”

that this edifice will be opened for public worship on Sunday, 23th inst. Meeting of Electors.—A meeting of the electors wiil take place at the Court. House this evening, alB o’clock, to discuss matters connected with the forthcoming election. Sale of Houses fc.-Mr. Hall sells at his store, Gladstone Road, this (Saturday) afternoon, at two o’clock, several horses, sausage machine, house, furniture, &c. Scabby Sheep, East Coast.—Monday next, the 20th instant, is the last day for receiving tenders, by Captain Porter, for boiling down the scabby sheep on the East Coast. Aibec.—We learn that owing to the impassability of the roads for packhorses, Airec’s entertainment, which has been advertised to come off in Gisborne, on Monday and Tuesday evening next, is postponed till his arrival here by steamer. Pbesbyterian Union. —At a meeting of the Gene: al Assembly of the Presbyterian church of New Zealand, held in Christchurch, on the 7th instant, measures were taken which are likely to lead to the speedy union of the North and South into one Church. Now is the time to subscribe to Saturday Eight. Two sewing machines to be given to Subscribers, valued at Sdveu and Six Guineas, for solving a riddle, or writing the best essay on the most enjoyable way of spending Christmas in the Colonies. Agents everywhere.—[advt.] Enlaboement of Butcheh’s Shop, Makabaka.—We learn that Mr. M’fntosh is about to enlarge his butchering establishment at Makaraka—the dimensions thereof to be 22 x 20 feet, which will make it the largest butcher’s shop in the Bay. The work is to be executed by Mr. Morgan of Gisborne. Celtic Chaib. —We are glad to notice that the Highlanders of Otago are taking active steps towards aiding the Celtic Chair Endowment Fund ; and that they have already met with such success as to warrant a belief that a remittance of £l,OOO, at least, will be made from the province, to Professor Blackie, by the end ofJanuary. Sbbgeant Stanhope.—We regret to learn that Sergeant Stanhope was suddenly taken ill a day or two ago—his complaint being inflammation of the bowels, from which he intensely suffered on Thursday night; so much so that his medicalattendant despaired of his life. We are glad, however, to hear that he was slightly better yesterday, and hopes are now entertained that he will survive the attack.

Divine Services To-mobbow .— Church of England — The Bev. E. Williams, .Holy Trinity Church at 11 a.m., and 7 p.m., and at the National School, Whakato, Big River, at 2.30 p.m. Divine Service will be held on Wedesday, December 15, at 7.30 p.m. Presbyterian— The Rev. W. H. Root, St. Andrew’s, Gisborne, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. ; Matawhero, 3 p.m. Wesleyan—Rev. T. G. Carr, Ormond, at 11 a.m.; Makauri, at 2.30 p.m., and af the Court House, 7 p.m. Christmas Trips.—We notice, with pleasure, that the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company, have resolved to issue return tickets, at single rates, during December and January — such tickets to be available to the end of February. The Auckland Steam Racket Company have also conferred a similar boon upon the public, which from the enormous profits they are making, they can well afford to do. Mr. Adair has also laid on the Rosina for Tologa Bay Races. Ram Hoggets.—Mr. Parsons of Matawhero has just imported, by the Pretty Jane, from Napier, three of the finest hogget rams ever seen in this quarter. They are from the well-known flock of Messrs Sutton of Otago, which is a sufficient guarantee of their being of an excellent breed. Their wool—a sample of which may be seen at this officemeasures 13| inches in length, and is of a very superior quality. No small praise is due to Mr. Parsons for sparing no expense in improving his flock.

White Island Sulphur.—Mr. Meldrum, who has just returned from Tauranga, left at our office a fine specimen of White Island sulphur, which appears to us to be quite equal to Sicilian sulphur. It is a pity that this source of wealth is left so long without being utilised. Last year an elaborate report of the quality and commercial value of the White Island sulphur, was drawn up by an analytical chemist, who had visited the Island for the purpose ; but beyond publishing the report in the Auckland papers, we are not aware that it has been acted upon in any way. The specimen can be seen at this office. New Road Board District.—The meeting convened by advertisement, at Mr. Higgins’ Shelbourne Hotel, on -Tuesday evening last, did not take place, owing to an irregular course having been pursued in regard to the calling of the meeting. According to the Act a meeting to take into consideration the propriety of creating a new Road District, must be called by the chairman of tlieDistrict Highway Board, by requisition from the ratepayers. The meeting was, consequently, adjourned for fourteen days, for that purpose ; and the necessary requisition has, we understand, been already presented to Mr. Hardy. The meeting - will be duly advertised.

Wap.renga-a-hika Christmas Sports. —On Wednesday last Mr. Maynard sold at the Waerenga-a-hika Hotel, by auction, the right to erect a refreshment booth, and a fruit and pastry stall, on the race course, at Waerenga-a-hika On Boxing Day, 27th instant. The attendance was smaller than might have been expected, and the bidding was dull. Mr. Saunders of the Waerenga-a-hika Hotel, was the successful bidder for the booth, *which was knocked down to him at £5 ; whilst Mr. Trimmer, of the Excelsior Bakery, was the purchaser of the right to erect the fruit and pastry stall, at £2 10s. Mr. Trimmer states in an advertisement, which appears in another column, that he intends to supply a large variety of pastry and fruit, at the sports, at-the lowest possible prices, and therefore, hopes to he extensively patronised. It was intended to have sold the race course gate, but nd offer having been made for it, the Sports Committee will likely take it into their own hands.

Flood at OpoTiki.—There was a heavy flood at Opotiki a few days ago, and much damage has been done. The smaller bridge on the Waioeka river was washed an ay ; and the large bridge across the same stream has had its western abutment carried away. The bridges were blocked up by drift wood—the smaller bridge completely swinging round and holding only by one pile. The water rose upwards ot fourteen feet above its ordinary level, and was up to the floor of the large bridge. The town of Opotiki was also inundated and considerable injury has been done to houses, as well as to the crops in the immediate neighborhood. Artesian Wells. — One or two of these ■ wells would be a great boon to Gisborne ; and we are somewhat surprised that no steps have been yet taken to accomplish the object. Our supply of water ,is pot only comparatively scanty, but inferior in quality; whereas water obtained from an artesian well would be a great advantage to us in more ways than one. We notice that Mr. Garry who has been lately engagedin sinking an artesian well for the Municipality of Napier, has succeeded in obtaining a very good flow of water, at a depth of 166 feet in that town. This water is to be utilised for watering the streets, as well as for domestic and other purposes. When Gisborne is erected into a Municipality—which we fully expect to see done at no distant day—we trust the town will not then be long without an artesian well. Malting Barley.—We have seen at the office of Mr. Crawford, a few days ago, a fine sample of malting barley, grown by Mr. Brunt, of Ormond, who has about four hundred bushels of the cereal for sale. JffKr. Crawford, we understand, intends making early arrangements for manufacturing his own malt, instead of importing it from Auckland—which he, has done since commencing business here* —and as this species of enterprise will, undoubtedly, give impetus to the growth of barley in the district, our agriculturists will hail it with gladness. Mr. Brunt) ror one, says that he could raise .between one and two thousand bushels of barley, annually, provided there was ready demand for it here; and other farmers would also besuretobestow greater attention uponrthe production of barley than they have yet done. Mr. Crawford could, we believe, afford to pay about Is 2d more for district barley, per bushel, tCajlt-ouid beobtained foritinAuckland, whid|would be no small advantage to the producers, whilst the brewer would be materially benefitted by not having to pay freight for the malt he imports from Auckland. In these circumstances we have no doubt that the agriculturists of Poverty Bay will perceive the propriety of sowing more barley henceforward than they have ever yet done—the soil being admirably adapted for it.