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Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 10297, 7 February 1930, Page 3

PAGE FROM THE PAST.

TAURANGA 5(5 YEARS AGO. Taking a run through the first volume of the Bay of Plenty Times we (•ante across this painted paragraph in the issue of February 7th 1874: “Amongst other follies, Beau Brummell, it is related, had that of choosing to he always (00 late for dinner. He delighted to he waited for. thinking it was a proof of his fashion ami consequence. A gentleman. who had for some time submitted to this oft repeated trial of his patience from the fop until he could stand it, no longer, one day determined to he avenged. Dinner was laid upon the table precisely at the appointed time, and was at once partaken of hy those present. Rrummell ami the cheese arrived together, and the beau was desired hy his host to sit down. The master of the house vouchsafed no apology, but quietly said lo his guest. “1 hope, Mr Brummell, cheese is not disagreeable to you?” ,r his is. flguratviely speaking, what Major Roberts offered to Mr Samuel Clarke on Thursday morning last in the Resident Magistrate’s Court. Captain Tovey and Mr Samuel Clarke were the invited guests to ‘a feast of reason and flow of soul’ about highways rates of the Country Board. The invitations were issued for ten o’clock. At that hour Major Roberts took the head of the table, and proceedings commenced, Mr Clarke in the calmest possible manner putting in an appearance at twenty minutes to eleven, only to find, however, that the affair was over—case dismissed. Mr Clarke, we have no doubt, does not look upon the Resident Magistrate’s conduct as being the correct Stilton any more than Beau Brummell did. but we think the Major acted very properly—-indeed no other course was open to him. Mr Clarke will now probably understand the value of the precept that ‘punctuality is the soul of business.’ and if ho will carry it into practice when acting as a Justice of the Peace the lesson will not have been thrown away, ami the public will he the gainers. Verb sap!" Curiosity prompted a search for the report of the case, and this is what; we found; “Appeal against Rates —S. Clarke v. Country Highway Board. No appearance of plaintiff. “Captain Tovey appeared on behalf of the Board. lie stated that according to Clause 0 of the Empowering Act the appeal not having been lodged within one month after the rate was made, was consequently null and void. He produced a copy of the Bay of Plenty Times of October 2 2nd 187;!, containing a notice (hat the assessment roll for tlie Tauranga Highway District was available for general inspection at the office of the clerk of the R.M. Court until the 24th November then next ensuing, and the Board would then sit to hear appeals against the rttltn The advertisement is signed hy the Chairman. ’S. L. Clarke.’ On the ground (hat the assessment roll was made valid, and the appeal not lodged in time, he applied for the case to In* dismissed. “Mr Clarke here entered the Court, and His Worship informed him that the case was struck otf the list. “The evidence of Captain Tovey was then read over. “Mr Clark: Captain Tovey has only given half the truth. "Captain Tovey indignantly denied the assertion, and commenced an explanation. "His Worship: No further evidence can now ho given. If you had been here in time, Mr Clarke, (he question could have been gone into. The case is now dismissed. “Mr Clarke; Then I will appeal to the Supreme Court."