Poverty Bay Standard. Published Every Evening. GISBORNE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1883.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1250, 18 January 1883, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. Published Every Evening. GISBORNE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1883.

About thirty of the friends of Wm. Clarke. Esq., Managing Director of the Southern Cross Petroleum Company, entertained him at dinner last evening, at the Masonic Hotel, and it was evident that all present were determined that he should not leave without some mark of the esteem in which he is held. During the evening the tone of the speeches made proved that Mr Clabke was not alone admired for his business capacity, but also for his sterling worth and integrity. A few letters have lately appeared relative to the compliment which was paid to Mr. Clabke last night, but had the writers been in attendance and heard the eulogies passed upon Mr. Clarke’s character as a private citizen, a Borough Councillor, and a business man, from the lips of gentlemen well competent to judge, we fancy, unless the thorn has been too deeply buried in the flesh, they would have admitted that he was entitled to the expression of esteem which was so heartily accorded. It may not be out of placd here to state that Mr. Clabke has done a great deal for Poverty Bay, and we assert it without fear of contradiction. Since Mr. Clarke’s arrival here sly hints and inuendoes have been constantly thrown out that he was merely an adventurer. Well, all we can say is, we would like to see a cargo of “ adventurers ” land in Gisborne if they were “ Clarkes.” We will defy anyone to say that Mr. Clabke has not henefitted the place. He has brought, or perhaps induced, capital to the Bay, and this money has been freely disseminated throughout the district. We have used the word “ induced ” in order to, in a measure, prevent those who are at all times ready to carp and cavil at words. Every business man must admit that he has henefitted by .the introduction of foreign capital. Some say that Mr. Clabke has secured a nice little nest egg, but who amongst those who talk loudest would not have done the same? We do not know if the assertion is true, as Mr. Clabke’s Bank book is to us as a sealed volume, but we hope it is, so that the gentleman may live long to enjoy the money which by his hard and honest work he is justly entitled to. Adventurers do not as a rule do good in any place, but Mr. Clabke (if, as asserted, merely an adventurer) has done so. We are pleased to learn that Mr. Clarke purposes returning shortly to Gisborne, and are confident that even his detractors will be glad to see him again amongst us. Men of Mr. Clarke’s stamp are the men we want unless we desire to become a second “ sleepy hollow.” Poverty Bay was intended for bigger things than mere agricultural pursuits. It is the nearest port to the Panama Canal now being made at Panama, and it is without doubt favored by its magnificent country. All that is required is energy and indomitable pluck, and with a few men k>f the same calibre as the guest of List evening, resident amongst us, ■iere can he no doubt that, as Mr. f iesse put it, it would from a village Become a town, and from a town to a ■ty. There is no doubt we have a B.and future before us, and that when Be have once “ struck ile ” we shall Be inundated with capital. Some ■peptics sneer at the probability of this Bost valuable product ever being obBined, but those who are skilled and Riined men, say that oil is here and Ki be got at.

Cor **«• pond ent fl letters from. “ A Lover of Truth,” and “ Totika ” are unavoidably crowded out of thi» evening’s issue. They will appear to-morrow.

A meeting the Cook County Council will be held tO’inght at the Council Chambers at 7 o’clock. The business will be to consider the report of the Inspector on slaughterhouses and petition on the same subject, together with the return of cattle slaughtered in 1882; to appoint a Committee to amend the bye-laws ; to consider a notice by Cr. Gannon to the effect “That having in view the financial position of the Council we take steps to meet the difficulty by a reduction of salaries and other expenses” ; and to appoint a Dog Register In lieu of Mr Orbell, resigned. We observe that a company will be formed on the Auckland Autumn Meeting, to be held on April 21st and 23rd, embrassing all the principal events of the two days’ racing. There will be 5000 investor® at £l, and the 130 prir-ea obtained will be divided amongst the lucky drawers. Applications are to ne addressed to Adam Bede, care of H. N. Abbott, Box No. 2, Post Office, Auckland. It is announced by the Union Steam Shipping Company that their steamer the Southern Cross will run regularly between Auckland, Gisborne, Napier, and Wellington; leaving Auckland and Wellington each alternate Monday. This, we understand, is with the view of relieving the larger boats, and in order to facilitate the transit of passengers who are frequently delayed owing to the length of time taken np at each port for discharging and taking in cargo. We think this is a step in the right direction and we have no doubt the Company will reap the benefit.

Major Withers, of Auckland, has been gazetted, under the new Volunteer regulations, as Commanding Officer for Auckland, Thames, and Poverty Bay districts. A correspondent writes to us that ,c There has been a drain 2ft. 6in. in depth, cut across the Waikohu road, between Mr Chambers’ and Ormond. Ank person having to pass during the day is compelled to take out his horse, and get the dray across as best he can, but those who travel by night, will have to take the risk of meeting with severe injuries. From Friday to Monday last there was no apparent intention of bridging the drain.” If our correspondent’s statement is correct, something snould at once be done. Messrs Ward and Kenny have entered into partnership as barristers and solicitors, as will be seen by an advertisement elsewhere. We wish this new combination of legal talent every success.