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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 168, 12 July 1888, Page 2

SCATTER SEEDS OF BLINDNESS. In these days of retrenchment, when unfortunate clerks are getting their miserly pittances still further reduced, and when the very gardeners are having their wages cut down, it seems anomalous that a frittering, scatter-cash policy can still be maintained. It appears now that the Chairman and Secretary of the Gisborne Harbor Board have been summoned to proceed to Wellington to give evidence in connection with the Board’s accounts. If the expense is to come out of the pockets of those gentlemen, and they themselves have no objection to it, there could be no demur, other than the grumbling that would be occasioned by Mr Bourke’s absence from his duties. But if the people have to pay for this nonsense it is simply shameful, and is another evidence of the disgraceful manner in which small but accumulating sums are sieved through the public purse. What possible good can be attained by this trip to Wellington ? The Government Auditor has expressed himself satisfied with the accounts, and if his certificate is valueless why is he retained in the public service ? Then if we must have these things gone into, why should not both sides be represented ? Mr Matthewson makes certain assertions with regard to the accounts, which assertions the Secretary and Chairman consider they can satisfactorily explain or refute, It follows that the Secretary and Chairman cannot honestly deviate from the position they have taken up in the matter ; but if any member of the Board makes the assertions that Mr Matthewson has done, he should be given every opportunity of proving his statements before those who are so anxious and whose pvivileges entitle them to know the real state of affairs, If Messrs Sievwright and Bourke go down to Wellington as it appears they must, it will not make the least difference. If there is anything wrong with the accounts it is only right that it should be made known, but while the action of the legislators gives an idea that things are not satisfactory, their decision one way or the other will not give a different impression to those on. either side of the Board, or to the ratepayers. It seems strange that the whole thing cannot be settled without this recourse to red taps.