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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1053, 26 June 1880, Page 2

PUBLISHED EVEBY EVENINC. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1880. We avail ourselves of the last publication for tbis week to ofter a few remarks in the most delicate manner it is possible to conceive, which we trust will be accepted in the same tender and gentle spirit in which they are written. The cominercial quarter of the year is fast drawing to a close, so says the almanac, which we have seldom found making mistakes as to dates, although very often as to facts. So, we find a very large number of accounts, totalling up a very large lump sitm which still remain unpaid, ancl which, if people possessed correct consciences, •would have been paid long since. Now we cannot accept the excuses which are palmed on us. The clubs and societies in existence in our midst are among the most unsatisfactory of our accounts. These are the Boating Club, the Cricketing Club, the Football Club, the Caledonian Club, the Ice Creams, all in our debt, ancl all of long standing ; and there is no money coming from theni oither in the immediate or most distant futnre. Most of the secretaries and committeemen disclaim responsibility. Our collector is referred from one to the other, ancl wears out much shoe leather in the service. But it all ends in this — there is no money forthcoming. One club has elected a new secretary, who refers applications for payment of accounts to the previous secretary. We apply to the previous seoretary who says he has washed his bands of the whole affair. But as a metaphorical washing of hands does not pay monies " due and owing," we oannot accept the excuse. One worthy young gentleman of pleasing personal appearanoe and genteel address, had the coolness to inform us a few days back that we could not go into Court for our account, as his club was not an "associated body," and had no locus standi. We had said never a word afequt going into Court ; but we are of opinion that the knowledge of a little kflr, like a little learning, is a very chwgerous thing as the young gentleman may possibly discover.

We have brought these facts before our readers in order to intimate to them that as nearly all newspaper outgoings have to be met weekly, it is necessary our customers should meet the claims we have upon them. We do not like to refuse reasonable credit to any one, but when young gentlemen, of prepossessing exteriors, get up balls, and clubs, and associations, and " Ice Creams," entertainments, and the like— for the future it will be necessary for them to pay for their advertising when they bring it, or give the personal guarantee of some one, who is unconnected with a club or a body, or an Ice Cream, refusing to pay a just demand, because it has not been " associated." We may also mention that it will be necessary when we are required to insert notices of bankruptcy, that such notices must be paid for at the time. Then, we shall be saved from being told there |is no estate, and consequently no money. Of what use is it for men to become bankrupt when there is nothing to be worked upon, we cannot understand, and even trustees have not made the discovery. The Herald, with its daily issue at a penny, containing a considerable I amount of leading, local, shipping, telegraphic, cablegraphic, and political matter, together with much general intelligence, is surely worth the j money, and the reasonable charge we make for advertisements, should in all reason act as an incentive to customers to pay for them. With these few gentle hints, we beg to close our remarks, merely observing, by the way, that next week we enter upon a new quarter, and that our accounts for the one just passing away will be placed in the hands of our customers, which, if paid, as they should be paid will relieve us fram all uneasiness and anxiety. A kind gentleman, a member of the legal profession, has just informed us (and without making a charge ! ) that any member of a committee, or all the members of committee of any club or society, may be held liable for debts incurred, and that not being " associated " makes no difference. We thank that legal gentleman, but hope that we shall not be called upon to adopt a course he recommends in connection with the advice gratis he has tendered.