Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE : TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1883.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1357, 18 September 1883, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE : TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1883.

In our issue of August 24th, we called attention to the fact that Councillor Chrisp seemed in a most feverish state of excitement with respect to the appointment of a new engineer, and accounted for it by supposing that he had some protege or member of the “happy family” which he wished toplace in that position before, his term of, office lapsed. The result hah proved that our surmises were correct. In response to a motion carried by the above Councillor, a notice was given inviting applications, and the farce of calling for tenders was gone through. Nine applications were received and opened last Tuesday. The first one (Mr Ballantyne’s) was disposed of by declaring it informal on account of its being addressed to the Borough Council alone instead of to the Borough (ouncil and Harbor Board—a distinction without a difference, which would never have been noticed had it not been the intention to remove every possible obstacle to the protege's success. Then came Mr D. G Ward, with the highest credentials possible, at a salary of £250 per annum ; Mr W. O’Ryan, at £250 per annum, with civil engineer’s diploma and surveyor’s certificate, and testimonials of the highest order ; W. Tatley, at £3OO per annum ; J. Drummond, at £250 ; A. Y. Ross, at £l5O ; J. A. Henderson, £2OO ; R. M, Skeet, £200; and last but not least, R. J. Reynolds, at £250 per annum. Now, we have not the slightest knowledge of this latter gentleman personally, and would most certainly have congratulated him on his appointment had we conscientiously believed that he was as suitable for the position as some of the other rejected tenderers. But such is manifestly not the case. Mr Reynold’s testimonials consisted of an unsupported statement made by himself to the effect that he had served his time to a civil engineering firin in Westminster, and amongst other experiences that he had, on one occasion, charge of a powder mill. To say the least of it, both his experience and abilities seem to fall far short of some of the rejected ones. As was clearly pointed out by Councillor Smith, we undoubtedly want an engineer who is also a thoroughly competent surveyor. It cannot for one moment be denied that when we can obtain a gentleman who possesses that accomplishment for the same salary as one who does not, it is plainly the duty of the Council, in the interests of the public, to accept his services in preference to the Hess qualified man. Councillor Tutchen clearly pointed this out, and forcibly called attention to the proved and superior abilities of Mr O’Ryan in many respects. Let the public look dispassionately into this matter, and fairly compare the relative merits and experience of the different candidates for this appointment, and we have little doubt but what they will clearly agree with us that another “job” has been perpetrated. To-night we suppose the Haibor Board will be called upon to endorse the appointment, and we beg to call the attention of the newly-elected Councillors to this matter, and ask them to thoroughly consider the matter before deciding to agree to an appointment which is causing considerable and widespread dissatisfaction in the place.

The Seraphic* held their usual dance last night in the Academy of Music, when a moat enjoyable evening was spent. ££The English and American mails will arrive here per s.s. Taiaroa to-night, wind and weather permitting. Singer’s Sewing Machines, 2s 6d per week. Repairs, parts, etc., to be had at the Singer Manufacturing Company’s Depot, Gladstone road. Mothers with sickly, fretful, nursing children will cure the child and benefit themselves by taking Hop Bitters daily. An eye-witness’s account of the arrival of Major Barker, S.A., at Dunedin, will be fouud on page 4,- and Captain Webb’s fatal swim on page 1. Mr Beresford opened his skittle alley on Saturday evening. There was a large attendance, and the lovers of this game lost no time in exercising themselves in such healthy sport. The genial and familiar face of our old friend, Mr Robert Cooper, is again to be seen in Gisborne, having arrived on Monday morning in the Manapouri. We give him a hearty welcome, and are pleased to see that he is in his usual robust health.

A meeting of those who have promised to take part in the amateur Christy minstrel performance will take place, as notified elsewhere, to-night. We hope to see a good attendance, as the proceeds are to go towards charitable purposes. An endeavour to take the locomotive, lately used in the gravel contract, down to Mr Brown’s engineer’s shop, has resulted after two days laborious work, in getting her a portion of the way there, and she now stands so embedded in the road that two teams of bullocks failed to move her. The job has not been successfully accomplished. A foot race for £3 a-side, took place on Saturday afternoon last, in the Waikanae Paddock, between P, Maher and a Native, distance 100 yards. Mr J. Aggers acted as starter, and got the competitors away to a very fair start. Maher getting a little the best of it. The Native made a good race for about 50 yards, when he was done and allowed Maher to win as he liked. We noticed on Sunday that the -ends of the tramway lines, which had been disconnected for the purpose of getting the engine off, were left in a most dangerous state. Had it not been for the action of the Borough Enginneer, Mr J. Drummond, some accident must undoubtedly have occurred. We hope that measures will be taken by the proper authorities to make an example of those who have so little care as to the safety of life or limbs.

At Messrs. Fraser *nd Wyllie’s sale on Saturday, a number of gooi hacks were offered for sale. Although the bidding was not very brisk, som-’ good prices were realised, and some first class hacks changed hands. Their next cattle sale will be held at Makaraka to morrow (Wednesday), at 11 o’clock, when fifty head of cattle will be offered for sale ; also, the well known imported bull “ Kobin Adair,” and a tip-dray in thorough repair.

During the past week, after a few days of wet weather, the deplorable state of our root paths has been a disgrace both to the town and its Councillors. Were it not for the verahdahs throwing the water off, a great portion of the lower end of the Gladstone road, extending from Peel street to Lowe stieet, the pathway would soon be impassable to ladies. Aa it is, they are unable to pass without the penalty of a wet foot. If for no other reason, we should gladly welcome the advent of gas works here, so that our footpaths can be ashphalted at a moderate cost. The cause of their present bad state appears to be occasioned by the fact that the fall, where there is any at all, is the wrong way, and instead of being outward generally inclines inward, so that the rain settles on them until churned into mud. At a committee meeting of the Poverty Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society it was resolved to fix the date of holding the show for the 23rd of next month. Mr G. L. Sunderland undertook to procure three competent judges from Auckland. The Secretary was instructed to insert the following in the programme Judges are directed to award prizes only to horses which they consider free from hereditary unsouudness, and, in the event of any horses being enteied in a wrong class, they are requested to reject them ” Cattle (Class IX )—1 o read : Best cow or heifer, any age. Merino sheep, Lincoln and other sheep, pit's, dogs, poultry, and implements, as last year. A prize of £5 was offered for the best sample cereals by R H. Fisher, Esq., and another of £5 5s by G L. Sunderland, Esq. to be apportioned by committee. The yard committee were authorised to have the jumping bar fenced off two chains in length and one in width. Also to fix a turn stile at the second gate. It was further decided that entries for stock should be made fully a week before the Show, viz., the 16th ; and that the gates be kept by the Society, the booths, 1 and 2, to be sold by auction. The former to have choice of ground subject to approval, and to supply luncheon for the judges and committee. The committee will meet again on the 16th of next mouth.