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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1314, 9 June 1883, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —A considerable amount of discussiou is going on with reference to the charges made for several items in connection with the Governor’s visit. Now I only wish to go into the matter as a ratepayer and I think, as such, I have a perfect right to a voice in the matter, especially as we (ratepayers) have in this, as in most other cases, to “ pay the piper.” What I wish to ask is this, why was not the whole thing thrown open to competition? But no; the clique thought this too good a thing to miss, the consequence was they adopted the ruse of saying that all was to be done free—for loyalty I The result in this instance as in all others, has proved that these loyal (to themselves) vultures intended to make the best of this precious morsel. I know several instances where tradesmen went and offered to do work for about half the amount that has been charged, but were informed that Mr So-and-so had offered to do it free. But I now hear that these loyal and benevolent So-and-so’s have charged about double, and in some instances more than double what it would have coat the Public had the thing been thrown open to public competition. This sort of thing will moat certainly be put a stop to before long, for even the most stupid and dull are becoming fully alive to these underhand practices. —I am &c., Tradesman. [We quite agree with “ Tradesman ” ; in one instance our manager waited on one of the Committee with reference to printing the National Anthem for the school children, and was informed that it was given to Captain Chrisp, of the Herald, aa he had promised not to charge for the same. Now on looking over the printing account from the Herald we find a charge is made of 15s for the item above mentioned.—Ed. P.B.S.] TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —It would he well that persons who are asked to subscribe to a certain testimonial, should ascertain the authority of those intruding on them. Religious bodies do not usually hunt up the general public in such

instances 5 nor have the Roman Catholics done so on a late deserving occasion. I am &c., A Catholic, Gisborne, Sth June, 1883.