The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1876.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 416, 4 October 1876, Page 2

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1876.

“ 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.”

AVe heartily congratulate our friends, the Good Templars of Poverty Bay, on the unmistakable demonstration that took place in the Temperance Hall, at Ormond, on Friday evening last, not so much, indeed, on account of the success of the entertainment in itself, as the good effect a promulgation of the principles of Good Templary may have in inducing many who now stand aloof to join its ranks. The Ruby Lodge is the secondbranch of the Order that has been established inthis district in the short space of two years; and that the original one in Gisborne has continued, with the varying success incidental to young institutions, and against much prejudi e and opposition, is a matter of satisfaction to those who have remained loyal to the cause. That there have been some whose hearts grew weak, and fell away in the hour of temptation, there, possib'y, may be no doubt, and will be a source of regret; but the fact that a second Lodge was an absolute necessity will speak greater things in support of the principles of the Order, than any number of disaffected renegade; can say against it. It is not our purpose, neither are we inclined to write any very lengthened disquisition either on the benefits to be derived from teetotalism in general, or to illustrate the advantages that would be secured to all

classes and conditions of men in taking oaths of allegiance to the cause of Good Templaristn, in particular. All who are gifted with the light of reason know well what “total abstinence” means ; but there are few who really comprehend its stern decrees, or set a correct value on its obligations, until they have gone through the fiery ordeal it enjoins on its votaries, and, in their own persons, and those of their families, have reaped the fruits of their sacrifice and labor. But these benefits and advantages may be stated shortly to be as manifold in i number as the principles on which they are based, are sound, elevating, and honorable. They are illimitable, for the man who is freed from the bondage of an unconquerable drunkenness—an insatiable appetite for stimulating drink—enjoys a freedom, and a happiness to which he has, hitherto, been a stranger. There may be, and doubtless are, many who would give their adherence to Good Templary, did it but espouse moderation in the use of, and not a total abstinence from, the use of alcoholic liquors. There are also large numbers who hold aloof from this Society because of the severe, drastic, measures of condemnation that are dealt out against all outsiders; while the great multitude agree with the principles of Good Templarism, although they cannot conform either to its mode of government., or system of ostracism which is carried into effect (or popularly understood to be so) with undue rigor and seventy, thus, in many instances, disobeying the biblical in junction of not doing evil that good may come. Abstractedly considered, there can be no question that this institution, although possessed of no antiquity, is fast becoming a power in the land, which must (we have no other word for it) ere long, exert its influence for good over a vast number of the human race ; and well it is, ’tis so, for it were better far that a man should be bound with the velvet eords of brotherly love, and so saved from irretrievable ruin, than be enslaved in. the harsh chains of a besotted degradation, destructive alike to body and soul. The Rev. W. Hevingham Root—to whom a large measure of the success attending the spread of Good Templarism is duein addressing the audience on Friday evening, dwelt at some length upon the vital statistics (too vital, alas!) of the evils arising from drunkenness, and brought such figures to work out his dreadful arithmetic, as were simply appalling in their naked liideonsne<s. Observation, and the records of older countries, bear ample testimony to the fate of the hundreds, and thousands, and millions of human beings that succumb at last to the fiend, which, all through life—short though that life, in many cases, may be —has been worshipped as a God. It is the desire and aim of Good Templarism to avert these impending dangers, if possible ; and it was the expressed wish also of the rev. gentleman’s, that his hearers should escape the inevitable fate that awaits those who feed their maddening desires without restraint, by enlisting under the banner of a Society which, with all its faults, has a high calling, and a noble, Christian mission to fulfil.

Mr. R. Cooper differs nothing from most persons who look at public questions with a jaundiced eye. In his letter to the Herald yesterday he lias committed the common error of asserting things against this journal which have no foundation in fact, and then takes credit for having found a mare’s nest. In alluding to the schedule of certain blocks of land, bought by different officers on the East Coast, (not by Mr. J. A. Wilson only, as Mr. Cooper suggests) which we published a few issues since, as forming part of the Native Minister’s Statement to the House, Mr. Cooper evidently is under the impression that Mr. Wilson had some hand in the appearance of the schedule in our columns. He says : —“ Mr. “ Wilson’s statement" (what statement ?) “ that he has purchased the blocks named “is entirely false.” We are not responsible for the correctness of the schedule, which we copied, as usual, from the Parliamentary papers, and which Mr. Cooper might have seen for himself, instead of insinuating that it the information had been furnished by a process of back stairs influence, privately to the Standard. Mr Cooper is also in error in writing relative to the schedule that “ the “ Standard states it was read out by Sir “ Donald McLean before the House of “ Repres"ntaiivcs.” The words we used were that the blocks were qnoted from papers "alluded to by the Hon. the “ Native Minister in his Statement,” and of which they undoubtedly formed part. We do not intend to follow Mr. Conner in his other assertions in regard to Mr. Wilson’s purchases just now. Mr. Wilson’s Report is nnt public property, and until it is, we shall certainly not prejudice either side by an ex-pt>rte commentary.

The present number begins the fifth year of the Poverty Bay Standard. In taking a retrospective view w r e have no more cause for regret than falls to the lot of most journalists, while we have many things to rejoice over. A few have left our ranks, but more have joined them, therefore, on that score we are satisfied. With the times the Standard has progressed, and we heartily thank our numerous friends who have aided our efforts. That this journal has been the means of bringing the capabilities of this fine district prominently before the outside world, we are not hypocritical enough to deny, and as this has been, so will it continue to bo, our object. Through evil report and good report, we shall hold fast to the principles we have always advocated, and persistently endeavor to maintain the Standard as the Settlers’ Advocate, without distinction of party, class, or color.

Milk.—Mr Walsh notifies that he ha reduced the price of milk to 4d a quart from the Ist of October. Auction Sale. —Mr. M. Hall will sell by auction, during the Show qu Saturday next, cattle and horses. Bank Holiday.—The Banks notify that they will be closed on Saturday next, in honor of the Pastoral Society’s Show. R.M.’s. Court. —The usual sitting of this Court was held yesterday, but there was little business of importance broughl before it. Jumping Prize.—Mr P. Breiugau offers a jumping prize for horses, to be competed for at the Agricultural Society’s Show' on Saturday next. Holiday.—The Standard office will be closed on Saturday next, after, 11 o’clock in the morning, to enable the employees on its staff to visit the Show on that day. Partnership.—-Messrs Thelwall and Dngleaux give notice of a dissolution of the partnership hitherto subsisting between them, and that. the firm will be carried on by Messrs Thelw'all and Co. Larbikinism. ■ — Messrs Large and Tow’iily complain that the windows of their workshop have been smashed several times during the last three months, and now offer a reward of £2 for such information as will lead to the conviction of the dastardly perpetrators. Waiapu Bishopric Nomination. — There seems to be a little discrepancy between our own telegrams, and the re- ■ ort of the synodical motion, relative to the nomination of a clergyman to the vacant See, which: we have copied elsewhere from the Napier papers. According to that we have nothing further than that the Ven. Archdeacon Williams’ motion, “ That the Synod proceed to nominate a clergyman to fill the vacant See of this Diocese,” was lost, and the nomination, in consequence, deferred till next Session ; but it appears that nominations have taken place, notwithstanding, and that one of the nominees, Archdeacon Harper, has since declined to accept the Bishopric.