The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1884. THE LATEST MOVE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 78, 28 February 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1884. THE LATEST MOVE.

The letter that appeared in the report of the Borough Council, in our last issue, bearing the signature “ C. DeLautob, Director,” is certainly a most ingenious compilation ; but, unfortunately for the success of the aim of the writer, the latest move is too apparent to deceive even the most obtuse individual among our public men. After affording the highly important information that *' the directors have observed the discussions which have taken place as to the proposed bridge over the Turangsnui River,” the writer discourses thus :—“ It seems to be agreed that a sufficient sum cannot be raised to place a bridge at the Gladstone Road unless the County Council contribute a large sum. If the bridge were built over the Waimata River, on the direct coast road as now surveyed, the Land Company would be willing to supplement the Government grant in consideration of the increased facilities which would be given to purchasers of sections on the Whataupoko.” Of course, the Land Company has a perfect right to endeavor to secure “ increased facilities to purchasers of land on the Whataupoko,” and it should be borne in mind that only a small fractional part of the little allotments in that block has been disposed of; therefore, the astute directors are, of course, anxious to grasp at some means of enhancing the value of the unsold property. The compiler, or compilers, of the letter referred to have asserted that “ a sufficient sum cannot be raised toplace abridge at Gladstone Road unless the County Council contribute a large sum, and wo would like to know by what “ rule of thumb” the prophets have arrived at that conclusion. They are very clever at pointing out what cannot be done—according to their prescribed ideas; but, although the Land Company would be “ willing to supplement the Government grant,” it is not stated to what extent the generous combination would go. “ 1/ the bridge were built over the Waimata River, on the direct coast-line as now surveyed”—what then? Why, of course, the County Council would have to go to the great expense of |

making a road through the Land Company's property. Now, if the County Council be considered bound to adopt one of the two courses—the making a road through the swamp, or giving a few hundreds towards the construction of a bridge across the stream at the end of Gladstone Road — the latter course, would, undoubtedly, be the most advisable, —in fact, the small outlay for the Turanganui Bridge should be the only call made on that body ; while, by adopting the astute directors' smart proposition, it would have the felicity of keeping the Whautopoko circuitous highway in repair—after having gone to a great expense for its formation. Then, again, with reference to the Borough, the writer tenders the startling information that “ should it be thought that the Borough could not construct a work in the County, the difficulty, if it be one, could be easily met by including the portions of Whataupoko affected in the Town of Gisborne.” How very condescending and obliging on the part of the directors I What an acquisition “ the portions of Whataupoko affected” would be to the ratepayers of Gisborne! We would fain ask, can impudence any farther go ? This clever proposition seems to us like adding insult to injury, and yet there comes the thrilling proviso that “ should this not be thought desirable, the County Council might be asked to superintend the erection of the bridge, and expend the Government grant subsidised by the Land Company.” How very ingenious ! “ The grant subsidised by the Land Company!” We wonder what amount the Company, in its generosity, would deem a sufficient “ subsidy” in consideration of the value of their property being considerably enhanced by the formation of a County road through the undrained land ! “No doubt it would be necessary to obtain the assent of the Minister of Public Works to the change of site ; but as probably the Government engineers would professionally favor the Waimata site, this might not be a matter of any great difficulty.” It would be gratifying to know in what way “ the Government engineers would professionally favor the Waimata site !” Would there have to jbe a little more bribery and corruption indulged in to attain that most desirable end ? What an amount of brain-work it must have taken to compile the wonderful production wedraw attention to ! What grand conception is therein contained ! And what a fine specimen of composition is the following:—“ I hope if some arrangement of the kind could be made that the Land Company would be willing to hand over the Taruheru Bridge to the Borough on condition that it be a free bridge for ever.” No doubt the writer does “ hope,” and it is said that “ hope deferred maketh the heart sick.” Now, we have no desire to hear of the compilers of the precious epistle read at the Borough Council becoming sick, —more especially as the Land Company—in its generosity — “ would be willing to hand over the Taruheru Bridge to the Borough 1” That, of course, would be an excellent arrangement,— the Borough would have the felicity of keeping the structure in repair—“on condition that it be a free bridge for ever.” Councillors appear to have overlooked this delicious sop thrown out to them ; but they will, we should think, take the earliest opportunity of participating in its goodness, as well as grasping at once the luxury of being honored by “ including theportion of Whataupoko affected in the town of Gisborne !” Verily, the ways of the mighty are passing strange ; but we sincerely hope that the disease will not extend itself much until the asylum to be erected by the Government is in a fit state for the safe protection of incurables. The public bodies of this district must, however, keep a sharp look out, or their mental powers may be seriously affected by the fascinating attentions of a genius or two, whose heavenly thoughts soar far above the sordid propensities of an ordinary land “ ring.”