The Standard AND PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE. (PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY.) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1876.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 421, 21 October 1876, Page 2

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

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 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.”

We learn from authentic, private sources, that the Governor has appointed a Royal Commission to sit in Gisborne, in a few days, for the purpose of investigating the casus belli known as Wilson v Rogan and others. It will be remembered that ‘Mr Commissioner Wilson, in his report to the Government, relative to the land purchase proceedings on the East Coast, implicated many prominent officials and settlers in Poverty Bay, as having been inimical to his operations, by negotiating with the natives for the purchase of their lands, which he, Mr Wilson, alleges it was not competent for them to do. Mr Wilson’s report was held by the Native Minister to comprehend charges of such magnitude and import, that he very properly withheld it from publicity, and did not lay it before the House with the reports from the other Land Purchase Commissioners, until the several gentlemen charged should have an opportunity of replying to, and, if possible, rebutting the accusations contained in it. One of the officers named was J udge Rogan who—rather incautiously, we think, while the matter was under investigation by the Native Department—handed over his copy of Mr Wilson’s report to our local contemporary, for public comment. Whether or not that act of Judge Rogan’s has prejudiced the case for or against either Mr Commissioner Wilson, or himself, we are not able to say, but the Government have looked upon it with disfavor, and questions concerning it have been asked in Parliament, in reply to which it was announced that Sir Donald McLean’s indisposition prevented any immediate action being taken. The Commission now under Warrant, is the first step towards an investigation which, we trust, will be searching, and complete. We. trust too, most sincerely, in the interests of the Civil Service ; of the maligned officials ; of the settlers generally; and of Mr Commissioner Wilson himself, that there will be no sham about the affair. The enquiry will, probably, be conducted with closed doors ; if so, the more is the pity. We are always ready to accord to the Government the right to conserve its information for its own use and benefit, in cases when a revelation of it might be prejudicial to private interests, or the public weal; but in this case, where the circumstances of either side are pretty well known to the settlers, we humbly submit that the earliest and most direct means should be given, in order to satisfy pub'ic opinion as much as to the means, as to the end. If the charges alluded to were of that nature, as to relegate them to a legal tribunal, there would be no secrecy or delay necessary ; and we trust that the Government will see its way to giving the same amount of publicity to this question. The allegations are of too serious a nature to be trifled with ; for Mr Wilson’s wedge has been driven thoroughly home by Judge Rogan, who not only accuses the Commissioner of having expended “ a large amount of public “ money, in advances to Henare Potae, “ and others, for which no title can “be proved,” but he flatly tells the Native Minister that his statements to the House, “as far as Mr J. A. “ Wilson’s purchases are concerned,” are false ! We have, hitherto, refrained from making remark upon the foregoing, simply because any expression of opinion, through the press, on exparte information, must be damaging to the side whose voice has not yet been heard. It is always inexpedient to pile up the agony of prejudices unnecessarily ; but, as far as we have looked into the matter, we cannot help thinking that Judge Rogan’s straightforwardness, and eager desire to force an enquiry, has led him into what is regarded as an indiscreet attempt to forestal that enquiry by endeavoring to damage Mr Wilson’s position, without improving his own. there are two sides to every question ; and, like other disputants, these two officials, doubtless, are each convinced of the soundness of his position. Therefore, we can but hope that an unfettered liberty will be given to the gentlemen appointed on the Commission, and that, in fairness, public judgment will be suspended until the result is known.

Removal. —Messrs. Ferris and Pitt announce that they have removed to, and commenced business in the building known as the Iron Store, in the Gladstone road. Cheque Lost. —Mr J. R. Hurrey gives notice in our advertising space, that a certain cheque drawn on Napier, in favor of MrW. King has been lost, aud payment stopped at the bank. Quarterly Auction Sales.—Messrs Ferris and Pitt announce that they will hold auction sales at the Shelbourne Hotel Yards, every three months, commencing Saturday the 4th November next. New Lime Kiln.—We learn that Mr Hubble, bricklayer in this town, is about extending his operations by starting a new lime kiln in Gisborne, in the course of a week or two. We wish him success, and hope soon to chronicle the event. Mr. L. Higgins returns thanks to those who so liberally patronised him whilst proprietor of the Shelbourne Hotel; and, as he is leaving the district for good, he requests that outstanding accounts may be paid to Mr G. Saunders ( on his account. Ormond School. —The Ormond school under the superintendence of Miss Burns will be re-opened on Monday next the 23rd October instant. We congratulate the school committee in having secured the services of a lady of whom report speaks highly as a teacher. Native Land Court. —The sittings of this Court at Mahia have terminated. Several important succession and subdivision cases were disposed of, and much business transacted satisfactorily. Major Richardson and about 100 natives visited Mahia from Wairoa. The Court sits at Wairoa on Monday next. Sheep Brands. —Mr Meldrum, the Inspector of sheep for the East Coast district draws the attention of flockowners toa clause in the Sheep Act which stipulates that all sheep must be branded. It seems, therefore, necessary that sheep should be re-branded after shearing, to comply with the terms of the Act. Gisbobne Boarding House.—Mr A. Hunt advertises himself as successor to Mr Day in the Gisborne Boarding House, near the lower wharf, and is prepared to receive day and weekly borders on terms. We believe Mrs Hunt is a manager of some considerable experience in this kind of work, which should be a sufficient guarantee lhat her lodgers will be made comfortable.

Divine Services, To-morrow, Sunday.—Church of England—The Rev. E. Williams, —Gisborne 11 a.m, and 7 p.m. Whakato, 2.30 p.m. Wesleyan.—The Rev. W. S. Harper, Ormond 11 am. and 7 p.m. Makauri 2.30 p.m. Presbyterian. —The Rev.W.H. Root—Gisborne 11 a.m. Matawhero 3.30 p.m. Wesleyan Church 7 p.m. There will be no service in St. Andrew’s in the evening. New Saddlery.—Mr H. McCaffery has recently made some great improvements by an addition to his business premises opposite the Standard Office, where now is to be seen as fine a display of saddlery, of all kinds, as can be met with in the Colony. The shop has been considerably enlarged by an extension of frontage area, and the stock is displayed, and can be inspected to superior advantage. We congratulate Mr McCaffery on this necessity, arising out of his growing business, and trust he will continue to flourish. Auctioneering. — Activity amongst that class of business men, who are in the habit of knocking things down, may not always be taken as an index of progress, or soundness in commercial circles. Some times their services are engaged because times are dull, and trade requires a spurt: at others because stock is out of season, and must be cleared at any sacrifice, to make way for new shipments to arrive, while, as is often the case, cash is slow in arriving to hand, and engagements must be provided for. But whatever the cause, which it is not our duty to enquire into, there is a very lively flutter going on just now in the Auctioneering line in Poverty Bay. Messrs. Ferris and Pitt, have held three sales this week, all of which have been well attended, by persons seemingly with lots of money. Mr M. Hall holds a sale of miscellaneous goods at his mart to day, which ought to get a crowd together ; and Mr Maynard notifies an important sale of horses, cattle, drays and harness, at the Shelbourne hotel yards next Saturday. We hope we may accept these as signs of the coming improvement which is generally needed. Billiards.—The Champion’s visit to Auckland, has not, so far, been attended with anything sufficiently brilliant to make a long parade about, at least so far as the amateurs are concerned. In the first game he played at the Mechanics Institute he gave a Mr Cozens 600 out of 1000, beating his opponent (who scored only 203 in the game) by 197, and 4 points to spare. On the second occasion Roberts gave Perkins of the Occidental 500 out of 1000, which, from the superiority of his play, as an amateur, created more interest. Perkins fared better than Cozens, the Champion winning by 38 points only. The “ breaks ” on either side were middling, in point of scores, probably owing to a generous feeling of the Champion towards his antagonists. The New Zealand Herald of the 18th, thus concludes its remarks on the second bout:—“ As will be seen by the scores and the times appended, it was anything but a fast game, but for a scientific display was incomparably superior to the first match, there being more diversity of play—scarcely any stroke conceivable on a billiard table but what was exemplified by the Champion and his antagonist. We cannot refrain from noticing one cannon of Mr Roberts’, which was played with such nicety of execution as to almost leave a doubt as to whether it was really made, the slight click, as faint as a fairy kiss, being all that proved that contact had taken piece. After the game. Mr Roberts enchanted the gentlemen present by some wonderful hand strokes, in which, by a twist of the fingers and a turn of the wrist, the balls were apparently imbued with life, and cut such astonishing capers, that seeing the performance could only satisfy the incredulous. This evening Mr Roberts is to play a game with Mr Weston, the Australian champion, giving 500 points in 1000. We would recommend al] those who have not witnessed the wonderful precision attained by these great artists, not to lose the present opportunity.- Mr Roberts will also play a match of five games at pyramids on completion of the gave with Weston."

To the Poverty Bay Settlers. — A Gentleman, for many years in my employ, is now in Rugland selecting, no my account, goods specially adapted for this province. To make room for consignments shortly expected, I shall, for the present, offer my large stock (to which I invite your attention) at unusually low prices, with extra allowance for cash. My BOOK STOCK comprises Standard Worksin Theology, History, the SciencesTravel, Fiction, and Poetry ; elegantly, bound Gift and Table-books ; many thousand volumes adapted for children and young persons, libraries, and prizes; Educational Books (used in the schools under the Board of Education ; Technical and Toy Books, Maps, &c. In Stationery I keep full stocks of every description required for the desk, counting-house, and private use. To teachers under the Board I act as agent—receiving and forwarding their salaries monthly. I shall be happy to supply Lists of Works in any Department of Literature. All orders which I may be favored will receive my prompt and careful attention. — Edward Wayte, 100 Queen-street. — September 30, 1876.— Advt. 1041 New Periodical—No. 1 of the Auckland Graphic, a serio-comic weekly journal, reached us by last mail from Auckland. In his leading column, the Editor says that the little stranger will avoid politics, and be “ essentially literary and artistic,” abundant evidence of both being apparent in the number before us. The Graphic will, doubtless, obtain some interest in this district, from the fact that Mr S. Begg, jun.,—a young man of some considerable ability, and, for a time, resident in Gisborne—is the pictorial artist of the staff, and gives promise of a bright career. The “ Pakuranga Steeplechase,” “ The Fancy Dress Ball at the Choral Hall,” and “ Ellie reads the letter,” possess considerable merit, on account of their naturalness, and faithful portrayal of life with little exaggeration. The reading matter is fairly selected ; but the chief attraction of a periodical of the Graphic's description is the originality of its reading, a characteristic which, we doubt not, will be prominently preserved in its future pages. It is tolerably well furnished with advertisements, and we trust the venture will take a firmer hold of the public than its predecessors did.