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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1330, 17 July 1883, Page 2

The petition against the Land Company’s Bill is being very numerously signed by the residents of this district. The public generally are recognising that the prospect of being taxed for the benefit ot a few private individuals and their toadies, is a thing to be objected to. I’he petition will be forwarded to Wellington at once and all those who have not yet signed it, should not Jose the opportunity of placing on record their decided protest against the most iniquitous measure that has been ever introduced in the New Zealand Parliament. The idea giving a private Company power to get grants of public -money for its sole benefit, will not go down with the public, Our readers cannot fail to see, after a moment’s reflection, that if the Company had the power of a local body—a power it seeks in clause 15 of the Bill—to obtain money under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, both the County and Borough Councils would be sure to have any sums they applied for considerably reduced, if not altogether refused. The fact is, that the Company is not only to be “ agents ” and “ trustees ” for the Natives, but also a local governing body for the County of Cook, and when that happens, it will be high time for the County and Borough Councils to abdicate their offices and leave the management of everything to J. W. Matthews & Co.