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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 909, 15 January 1881, Page 3

We learn with some surprise that the Borough Council have passed a Byelaw, and have instructed the Poundkeeper accordingly, to levy the sum of five shillings on every animal impounded in the Gisborne Pound, by way of damages. On enquiry we find that this is so, the Town Clerk explaining that the Council had concluded such infliction to be more lenient than to put breakers of the law to the expense of costs attendant on bringing the matter before the Resident Magistrate’s Court. Whatever leniency may have operated in the thoughtful bosoms of our worthy Councillors, there can be little doubt that their action, in this respect, is open to question. We have looked into the matter, at the suggestion of a few residents whose poundage fees have been supplemented by this extra charge of five shillings by way of compensation for “ damages ” ; but we refrain from saying anything further, at present, than will suffice to bring public attention to the matter, as we understand a test case will be brought before Mr. Price, to decide the question, in the course of a few days. This much, however, may be stated, without prejudice. The Municipal Corporations Act gives power to Boroughs to fix the fees and charges to be paid on impounded animals ; and, on this clause the Council, probably, rests ; but the same Act declares, that any Bye-law (which the Council’s resolution is not) repugnant to any existing Act or Ordinance &c., shall be null and void. The Provincial Ordinances provide for the recovery of damages done by straying animals, and certainly do not sanction the recovery of indiscriminate charges, whether damage has been committed or not.

We are not at all surprised to find that one of the first acts of Mr, Craig, the now proprietor of the Herald, was to intimate to the Borough Council that he was not prepared to continue its advertisements at the contract price—namely, eightpence an inch! Mr. Craig is a man of business, and very properly says he cannot work at starvation prices ; and the argument of Councillors that he is bound to carry out the agreement made with the Company is as illogical as absurd. There is no agreement, as such, that either side could enforce. Nor has any contract been entered into. The Standard tendered for the work, and obtained it; and, as the price was considered to be so very reasonable, it was decided to give it to the Herald as well, a piece of injustice which was never heard of in any place but Gisborne. Therefore, under no existing circumstances, is Mr. Craig either morally or legally bound to carry out the absurd arrangement entered into between the Council and the local printing offices, under a pressure of ill-advised competition, although emanating from and sustained by the Herald company. We expect next to hear that MT. Craig refuses to supply the public with printed forms, at the rate of sixpence per hundred !

The sober fact of the matter is that through the callous indifference, and magnanimous disregard of consequences, of the Herald's manager, as to what loss was sustained by the Company, so that it did not come out of his pocket, advertising and printing in Gisborne have become quite a farce, as regards prices. We have stated this before, and repeat now that in no other place in the Colony are the tariffs for that kind of work so absurdly low ; and we are glad of the endorsement Mr. Craig puts on our assertion. But this is not the only instance in which that gentleman has vouched for what we have,. stated. Again, Mr. Craig can see how unjustly the present unbusiness-like style of opposition (not competition) acts upon the two printing offices ; thus: Jones comes to our office and enquires our prices for jobbing, and, perhaps, advertising. We tell him ; and he obliges us with the remark, that he will consider the matter, and return shortly. He goes straight to the Herald office, and enquires ditto. On hearing the second terms, Jones improves the occasion by lying representation, and quotes our price at a liberal discount, adding, if you like to do the job at the same price, you can do it, as lam rather in a hurry. In some instances the lie is brought back to us from our Contemporary, and we are favored with the order, at something like 25 or 50 per cent, under the offer of either. Thus, by encouraging this kind of thing, suspicion lurks, where honesty and confidence should obtain; and printing offices become the dupes and laughing-stock of the public. This sort of thing must not be continued. If newspapers are to hold their own in Gisborne, they must be supported better, and more liberally dealt with. As it is, and has been, they are the first from whom assistance is sought; the first from whom credit is asked ; and the last any one ever thinks of paying, and then, but too often, under compulsion. However, enough of ourselves ; we dislike dragging these things before the public ; but as it concerns them to a large extent, our apology for our present remarks must be sought for in the necessity that called them forth.