The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, APRIL 3.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 98, 3 April 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, APRIL 3.

There is a goodly number of individuals amongst our somewhat inconguous community, who apparently look upon the Borough Council in the light of a paternal and benevolent body whose sole aim, and special function, is to carefully watch and promptly administer to all the wants and necessities of its parsimonious and grubbing children—to tax the majority in order to minister to the wants of the niggardly few. No sooner does one of this class experience the slightest difficulty or obstacle in the way of his individual progress, whereby he is prevented from deriving the maximum amount of profit from any pursuit he is engaged in—no sootier does one of these individuals see an opening whereby their worldly position can be improved—no sooner does one feel agrieved at some law which, though working for the good of the majority, interferes somewhat with his ideas and wishes—no sooner does one see any scheme whereby his property, prospects,.or position, can by any means be improved, than either the sympathy and assistance of some pliable, accommodating, or generous councillor is at once engaged, or a peremptory letter, or whining petition, sent to the Board craving, demanding, or humbly praying to have all made smooth and satisfactory for them. The last novelty in this line was the application which was read at Tuesday’s Board meeting, modestly calling attention to the difficulties and hardships which the carters have to contend against, and the loss of time they experience by not being enabled to load their goods easily and expeditiously at the wharf. By far the roost remarkable portion of the letter is that part which expresses such disinterested concern for the convenience of their customers. Of course, if the crane were provided, customers would participate iu its benefits by having their goods carted cheaper! What disinterested concern and anxiety ! Before the new wharf extensions were made, the carter’s complaint was that he could not get at his goods until the previous dray had finished loading and pulled out. This sort of thing has been remedied by an outlay of £1,518, and now, with an overdraft of some £1,907, the Board is asked to go to the further expense of £2OO for the erection of a crane, in order to make carting more profitable than it is at present. Skids are also asked for. But why, as was pertinently remarked by a discreet Councillor, if skids would be of such material benefit, do not the carters provide their own in the same manner as they are compelled to do in the Old Country? But are not the councillors themselves mostly to blame for this persistent clamouring by encouraging it.? No sooner is any application of this sort made to the Board—no matter how inconsistent or mendacious—than up jumps some well in-

tentioned but misguided councillor, anxious to distinguish himself as a public benefactor, and thoughtlessly moves compliance with the agitators’ request, without any regard to the bearings of the question in general and the difficulties iu the way of funds in particular. When the Board is out of debt and in funds it can afford to be generous, but not till then.