The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MAY 20.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 136, 20 May 1884, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, MAY 20.

Borough Auditors.—Amidst the political excitement of the past week one or two matters of some interest have been overlooked. First amongst these is the warm dispute which arose with respect to the Borough Auditors. It will be remembered that on the 23rd of last month the auditors (Messrs. Cresswell and Dunlop) took exception to certain mortgage which were held by the Sinking Fund Commissioners by way of securities on properties, and stated that in their opinion the securities were insufficient. This view of the matter was amply borne out by the fact that the insurance companies refused to insure the property up to the required value. Their report was received with much indignation, and such reflections were cast upon their actions as to lead the uninitiated to the conclusion that the Auditors had taken advantage of their position to attempt to injure the reputation of certain parties concerned in the matter. The result was that the report was returned to the auditors for re-consideration. On Tuesday last it was again presented to the Council in its original form, and gave rise to a most extraordinary scene in the Council, which ended in the ultimate adoption of the report. Without attempting to go into the cause of the dispute, we cannot but think that the Council has taken a most unwise course, in attempting to coerce the Auditors into a line of action evidently inconsistent with the responsible position which they occupy. It is more than probable that the difficulty has arisen through an entire misconception on the part of some gentlemen as to the obligations which their public position entails upon them, and who fail to see that in a matter of this sort their private business and feelings should not be allowed to whar) their common sense, and lead them into the ridiculous and painful position which they ac present occupy. The Auditors have done their duty in this matter in such a manner as to fully entitle them to the thanks of the public, in whose interests they are appointed. They have so forcibly proved their fitness for the position which they have so ably filled, that we have little doubt but what they will be again elected to the same position for the ensuing year.

Gas Plant.—Mr. C. Deavitt was the successful tenderer for carting certain plant of the Gas Company.

Our Wool Ships.—The Asterion and Lochnagar arrived in London on the 17th inst., the former having made the voyage in 106 days, and the latter in 107. Tenders.—Mr. W. P. Finneran invites tenders for the erection of a small dwelling house. Tenders to close at noon on Monday next.

Shipping.—Yesterday afternoon the schooner Saucy Kate arrived in the Bay from Auckland with a consignment of timber for Mr. J. Trimmer. She came alongside the wharf this morning, and is now preparing to discharge. Loose Horses.—We understand that a number of loose horses are nightly driven over the Whataupoko bridge in the most reckless manner, thereby endangering the safety of little children, who have had several very narrow escapes.

Borough Council.—The fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council will be held tonight, and we remind intending contractors that the tenders for the formation and metalling of a portion of Childers Street closes this evening. Southern Cross. — The Southern Cross anchored in the Bay early this morning from Wellington and Napier, and left again after a short delay for Auckland. She will call in at Tuparoa on her way up in order to land goods for the Southern Cross Petroleum Company. The following passengers were booked to leave by her:—Messrs. S. Carden, Sir George Whitmore, A. Kroyd, and three others.

Tenders.—The County Engineer calls for tenders for cutting drains, fascining roads, Ac., to be in by Tuesday next. He will leave Taruheru bridge at 9 o’clock on Friday morning, to point out the works on the Waimata Road to intending contractors.

Trust Commissioners’ Court (Mond ay).—ln the Block Awapuni a deed of conveyance from Heneri Kotekoti to Raniara Turoa and T. W. Porter, was granted. In Ngakaroa, No. la, a deed of transfer from Perihi Tukokohi to W. Maud, was adjourned to Monday next. Mr. Sheehan.—This gentleman is expected to arrive at the end of the week, and arrangements have been entered into with a view of chartering the Rosina for a trip up the coast next week, in order to afford an opportunity for attending the Aku Aku meeting on the 28th.

Billiards.—With the usualy liberality which so frequently distinguishes certain gentlemen who are in the habit of asking the assistance of the Press in forwarding their interests, and which is invariably most willingly accorded by us, our reporter was denied access to the billiard match at the Masonic Hotel last night, consequently we are unable to give any report of the proceedings.

The Elections.—A calm has succeeded the storm of last week, and for the time politics are rati er flat. All three of the candidates are marshalling their forces, and we may shortly expect some of them to take the boards. Mr. Locke’s friends and supporters are losing no time, whilst Mr. Gannon and Mr. Rees are scarcely less active. The latter gentlemans supporters held a meeting yesterday, afternoon and arranged some of the preliminaries for the ensuing campaign. Mr. Rees holds a meeting at McFarlane’s Hall on Thursday night. Our Old Locomotive.—An Auckland contemporary says : —Mr. Maguire, the contractor for the railway reclamations, has secured a locomotive from Gisborne, belonging to the County Council, for use in hauling out the trains of loaded waggons from Emily Place. The Railway Department wanted £4 per diem for the use of a locomotive, or about £l,OOO a-year. Even then the engine could only be used with restrictions. If that amount represents the earnings of a locomotive per diem, it is a puzzle how the railways do not pay’.

The Claimant.—The Tiehborne claimant expects to regain his liberty by October next, and is already beginning to pose before the public. He intends, he says, to prosecute his “ claims” in a just and legitimate manner, and although ho entertains no hope of success in his lifetime, yet he thinks his children may enter upon the family inheritance. Waxing magnanimous, he declines to appear again in public “ for considerations,” as he refuses to be a pai ty to exh acting from the hard-work-

iug men of the nation the earnings thev require for their families and themselves. It may interest some to learn that his eldest son has obtained a situation as clerk to a fi’m at Manchester, that another is being educated at Rernsey, while a daughter is at school at Guildford. According to last reports, the claimant’s wife was in a workhouse, but he repudiates her.

The Porter-Greene Inquiry.—The following notice appears in the current Gazette ;— “ Native Office, Wellington, May 14th, 189'.— His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to cancel the appointment held by William Scott Greene, Esq., as interpreter under the Native Lands Act. John Bryce.” A further enquiry into the circumstances connected with this case will shortly be held, and every opportunity afforded those who may have aught to urge in vindication of their past conduct in connection with this matter. The Lynch-Monkton Case.—Charlet H. Monkton, who was committed for trial in connection with the celebrated LynchMonkton case some time back, has been committed to gaol, his sureties having had reason to believe that he was about to leave the colony. It will be remembered that counsel for the prosecution, at the time the case was heard, insisted on the bail being fixed at a large amount, as he at that time expressed the opinion that it was Monkton’s intention to levant.

Cruelty to Animals,—We are informed that a number of horses are turned out on the Whataupoko in such a condition as to render the action highly blameable, as they should most assuredly be destroyed. There is one, we understand, hobbling about with a broken leg and another with a broken fetlock joint, both with the injured member dangling merely by the skin and sinews—a circumstance which entirely precludes the possibility of recovery. We think that a branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Dumb Animals should be formed here with a view of suppressing many cruelties of this description ; or perhaps an accredited agent of the Society’s would be sufficient, and have the same salutary effect.

Captain Miller.—To show that doctors are not the only ones who differ, we give the following from an Auckland paper:—“ A man named Miller, master of a small craft, had been aarested on warrant issued by the Resident Magistrate of Gisborne for obtaining a quantity of posts and rails to the value of £5O on false pretences. Mr. Button appeared and asked for a remand to Gisborne, and his application was supported by Mr. Thomson, Superintendent of Police, who urged that it was the invariable rule to remand a prisoner to the place where the offence was committed. Mr. J. A. Tole, who appeared for the defence, opposed the application on the ground that the accused had his witnesses here and had not the means to take them to Gisborne. Mr. Maguire, J.P., thought the prisoner was entitled io consideration, and Mr. Prime was in favor of following the usual practice. A deadlock ensued. Mr. Button and Mr. Thomson intimated that if the remand to Gisborne was not granted they would proceed no further. They would not ask for a further remand, and the result was that the justices, without giving any decision on the application, discharged the prisoner, as no evidence was offered against him.”