The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Thursday, November 3, 1887.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 62, 3 November 1887, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Thursday, November 3, 1887.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country's, Thy God's, and truth’s.

Jhe Financial Statement which we give in this morning should be carefully studied by all who take an interest in the affaire of the Colony. There is much food for reflection, and it will be seen that the Colonial Treasurer has made good use of his time, in producing a Statement extremely explicit. That there was to be drastic retrenchment was a fact made plain at the outset, but few probably thought that the knife was to be used so vigorously by Major Atkinson. That the country was being ruined by the extravagance of Ministers—extravagance almost amounting to criminality—has been painfully apparent, and the country demanded by their vote at the general election that retrenchment should be carried out with an unsparing hand. The question now is, do not the proposals of the Colonial Treasurer go too far ? It will be seen that the Ministry propose to commence from the top and continue downwards until an enormous saving will be effected, always providing that no necessary convenience will be deprived the public. The outlook as far as the Civil servants are personally concerned, is particularly gloomy. Many will be dismissed through the amalgatlon cf offices, That by departmental re organisation much can be saved goes without saying, but let the retrenchment commence in the big cities where extravagance is carried on in the most barefaced manner. The Crown and Native Lands Rating Act is to be repealed, with necessary reservations as to securities given under the Act, Here there appears a gleam of hope that the Government will continue the security pledged by us to the English bondholder in raising our harbor loan. There is a proposal to rate the natives, and to further borrow. Want of space prevents lengthy comment on the many important questions contained in the Statement.

On the accounts being presented for pay. ment at the Borough Ccuncil meeting on Tuesday night, Mr Williams, the contractor for the watering cart, drew attention to the fact that he had lost £7 over the contract, and asked for the consideration of the Conn oil. Several members thought that it would be a farce to call for tenders if the amount were granted, and the request was refused. During the discussion Ct Townley paid a very high compliment to Mr Williams for the manner in which he had carried out his work, and considered the Council would gain considerably by the design. The Borough Council met on Tuesday nightPresent: The Mayor, Crs Townley, Dunlop, Lucas, Whinray, Ponsford, Lewis, Joyce, Tucker. A telegram was received from Mr Graham, M.H.R., stating that he had attended informally at the meeting of Municipal delegates, and asked for authority to attend any future meetings. The authority was given. Messrs Shandon, Mason, London, wrote stating that the Fire Brigade hose would arrive by the next steamer. It was decided to purchase from Mr Knight, contractor, seven yards of rough shingle. Mrs Woon.with reference to cutting a drain through her property, strongly objected, and the Council decided to do nothing in the matter. Mr Bruce wrote complaining of the manner in which the ranger had impounded his horses. It was fl’c'. led to inform Mr Bruce that he had his remedy under the Impcm iing Act. The Controller and Auditor-G neral telegraphed the appointment 0! Mr C. P. Davies as Borough Auditor. It was decided not to expend any further money on the Waikanae dam. Payments totaling £34 10 were passed.

On Tuesday afternoon the ceremony of opening the local rowing season took place with great success. At noon the temperature was very warm, but subsequent showers cooled the atmosphere and made the weather all that could be desired. The Snark, which was kindly placed at the disposal of the Clubs by Mr Dougherty, started from the wharf shortly after 4.30, having on board a large number 'f ladies, the Mayor, and a few others. A large number of on-lookers assembled on the bridge, which was opened for the launch to pass through. Followed by a good turn.out of boats, representing both Clubs and also outsiders, the Snark steamed np as far as Mr Harris's, where Mr Crawford took a photographic view of the group, The procession returned past the wharf, the boats being in double file, and the launch, gaily decked with flags, took a trip out in .the b«y as far as the first buov. Oh coming back Mr Barnes (the Gisborne Club's captain) called for cheers for the ladies and Mr Dougherty, the call being heartily responded to, and a return being given from those on the launch. The boats then alt jo’ned in for a spurt back to the bend. One thing in oonneotion with the event that was mnch commented on was the absence of the Band. If the work ol the season keeps pace with the promi-ing opening we may expect plenty of life in rowing circles this season.

At the Borough Council on Tuesday an account was received fr-m Mr Thompson, in charge of bridges, for £1 Ss for opening the Turenganui bridge to allow the tender Snark to pass through on the occasion of the opening day of the Rnwing Olubs.’ As has always been the ease with previous similar accounts, acme discussion took place on the amount of the charge, and a proposal that the Road Overseer should undertake the duties, taking men employed by him to assist, was unanl. mously adopted. The greatest praise is flue to Mr MoElwaine Telegraph operator, for the excellent manner in which he performed his work yesterday morning in taking the Financial Statement, the copy being exceptionally clear and correct. The message was not received at a late hour, and the continued labor must have been very trying. Mr 8. Doleman is the accepted tenderer for watering the street at £133. A meeting of the J Battery members, to elect a lieutenant, will be held after inspection to-night. The programme of “ Engaged " appears elsewhere. Those who are to produce the piece have spared no time in making themselves perfect in their parts, and the performance is sure to command a large attendance. A ball takes place in Porter’s Hall, on November 9, for the benefit of Mr J. T. Crawford, musician.

Church of England Services, Sunday next i—Rev. O. D->an : Patutahi 11 • Waerenga-a-hika 3 ; Ormond 7.