Poberty Bay Herald

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4199, 26 January 1885, Page 2

Poberty Bay Herald

PUBLISHED EVERY EVENIiVQ

GISBORNE, MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 1885,

Probably no speech ever delivered by any previous Premier elicited such general disappointment and condemnation as that made by Mr Stout a few evenings ago. Among the many colonial journals there does not seem to be one that commends the speech, — ifc is one chorus of censure and disappointment. Instead of telling us something about the future, and explaining the proposed scheme of local government, he made pitiful and querulous complaints about the Press and members of the Upper House criticising him sharply. People did not want the thoroughly threshed out events of last session again put under the flail. What they wanted was some knowledge as to the colony's policy in the future especially as to finance and local government. We had been specially promised by one of Mr Stout's colleagues that the speech would fully detail the local government scheme, but we really got nothing but a few of the vaguest generalities. Mr Stout's hearers must have had difficulty in refraining from laughing at some portions of the speech — as for instance when he said that by the ousting of the first Stout- Vogel Government the colony had lost £2000, as if the turning out of that ridiculous combination was not dirt cheap at the money. Mr Stout is laughably sensitive to criticism, and does not see that his complaints are the best justification of the censure passed on him. He gets neither more nor less than all public men have to endure, but he is doing his best to show his unfitness for the Premiership by treating those who review him adversely in such an undignified way. One thing the speech made clearer. Both by what it did and what |it did not contain it demonstrated, what Las before an open secret, that it is exdifficult for the members of the Hmistry to pull along together, an,d that accident may at any moment H[ a disruption of the incongruous l^^^ts. With Mr Larnach in the Julius Yogel has a numerical mjHkthere, as he had before the most greater force of will and tact, and diplomacy, l^^^^^nere than ever evident that U^HB^&remiership is of the most He will sooner or

later find that a Premiership on such terms is not worth having. On the occasion of making his speech Mr Stout woald not or could not use a great opportunity, and hence a deliverance that for a Premier is simply contemptible. In another column will be found some comments on ifc so forcibly and cogently put that nothing further need be said. The whole of the Press has spoken generally in the same tone, and it will be observed that the Wellington Post, the chief Government organ, is the most unsparing in its condemnation.

One point in the Premier's speech was, however, welcome and deserving of praise, and it showed all the more prominently by contrast with the rest of the discourse. He urged a change in our educational system so that there may be technical instruction in the primary and secondary schools, and though he gave no indication that he is going to make the subject a part of the programme of his Government, his utterances on the point were satisfactory as far as they went. The subject is •a most important one, to which we will revert. Mr Stout will no doubt make an excellent Minister of Education. He is an enthusiast on education, and he shows his sincerity by hard work that few would perform. We refer to the education topic now to point out that in their annual report the Gisborne School Committee again bring the question of the necessity of a district high school here under notice. That necessity has been persistently but hitherto nnavailingly urged upon sucessive Ministers. No doubt the meeting to-night and the new Committee will decide to continue to urge it, and although the present state of the Colonial finances do not give much hope of immediate success, still the subject must be harped on with untiring persistence till success is attained, it will be attained in no other way. AH that can be said in support of the justice of the demand has been said over and over again, but it will probably have to be said several times more. On this head a correspondent writes : " It is extremely unfair to the persevering scholar that he cannot consummate the fruits of his exertions without leaving his home and putting his family to expense, as it is also disappointing to the parents who are able and would willingly contribute towards having their offspring brought up in a higher sphere could they do it without sending them to Auckland, Napier, or Wellington. Poverty Bay has long since attained the period of advancement when it is justified in demanding some provision for secondary education, the need of which is more forcibly felt as the population increases and on account of our distant position from larger places. Mr Locke and his predecessor have no doubt done their best to further the object, and when a fitting opportunity offers we can rely that the value of Mr Stout's theoretical views on education will be put to a practical test. "

The County Council have at last come to a sensible decision on the tramway question, a decision that ought to have been come to long ago, and that is now probably come to too late.* They have nuw found they can allow a tram to run on the road-way, but reserve the decision as to which part of it shall be used. It is now practically certain that we shall not get the tram even with this concession, and the Council may as well begin at once to act on that assumption. Its action throughout with regard to a tramway has been blundering, negligent, and shilly-shallying. It has coquetted and finicked for years as if there were hosts of people eager to take up the project, instead of realising the fact that it is a doubtful speculation that but few would be likely even to look at. The Council has messed away several years and has really done nothing during that period bat what is ludicrous and lamentable. It has been one long display of vacillation, and inability to realise the position, that it is hardly possible to believe a local governing body capable of. It is, however, useless to cry over what is past. To make some amends for their woful failure hitherto the Council should now at once recognise that they will get no offers, and begin to make arrangements on another basis to benefit the district with the mon^y that has been so long lying idle, and the judicious use of whic 1 ! would have done so much for the County by now. Accepting it as certam that they cannot get a tram, the Council may now consider and decide as to the next best way to use the money. If an offer shou'd happen to come it may be regarded as an agreeable surprise. It would be foolish to expect anything but the tardiest of action by the Council in the new departure, but let us hope there will be some action. As Mr Townley has stated, the public is heartily weary of the discussions on the subject, and want to see something practical done. The prompt action of the Borough Council when the subject lately came before it is in pleasing contrast with the years of procrastination by the other body. The admirable little speech of the Mayor should be of value even if we do not get the tram, for the sentiments expressed might well be applied to many subjects. Mr Kenny, on the contrary, again showed that he is an hopelessly incurable obstructive where any good public object is to be attained. After resisting the movement to get a harbor because it was "indecent" or for some similar reason, to get gas because it would " root" up the streets, and to get a tram because it would bo " dangerous," Mr Kenny has shown that he is past hope. He has also shown that he is now out of place, but that he would find a much more congenial sphere as a member of the County Council.

Thursday next will^be observed as a special bank holiday by the Gisborne banks, that day being the anniversary of the Auckland province.

The Russell left for Auckland on Saturday evening. She will go in dock to be cleaned, and leave Auckland to-morrow night for here.

The steamer Rosina is laid up for repairs just now.

Mr G. L. Greenwood has obtained a well deserved month's leave' of absence, Mr Rawson being appointed to act for him in his various offices.

There was a rather sharp shock of earth quake at 10.35 to-day.

Work at the bridge is making rapid progress. Some of the beams from pier to pier are now up.

The last launch for the Ohau leaves at nine in the morning at which hour those desiring to inspect the new steamer are requested to be present.

The defaulting book got off to the steamer by the first launch yesterday and so escaped an unpleasant interview with some friends who went down to see him off.

The Waihora got here about 7 yesterday, and went North at 10. She was densely crowded, 270 passengers joining at Wellington alone— the greatest number ever known to leave there by one vesael. Seventy got out at Napier. People had to sleep in every imaginable place, and it is said the saloon in early morning looked like an accident ward, At Wellington the vessel had to take in a lot of improvised bedding. The travelling season seems to be at its very height just now.

Harvest thanksgiving services wece held at Holy Trinity yesterday, the building being prettily and appropriately decorated for the occasion. The gas lighting was most successful, and— especially the sun light — was much admired. Owing tp the great heat the attendance was not large.

The local cricketing fraternity Intend, if arrangements can be made, to invite the " Gordons " down to Gisborne. The Gordon Club is one of the beat in Auckland. A match is not expected to take place this season with Napier.

Te Whiti has insured his life for £100.

The ketch Saucy Kate arrived from Taiaroa yeaterdav morning with 37,000 feet of timber for J. Trimmer.

The Matawhcro Baud of Hope and Blue Ribbon Society will hold it« monthly meeting in the c.hurch at 7 30 p.m. to-morrow, when all are invited to attend.

By English mail Bteainer direct, newest music for pianqforte, songs, duetts, dance, and selected pieces, at James Snyder Browne's. — Advt.

Feeling was strong over the harbor election at Napier. One publican advertised : Harbor Election Day. — Just landed, ex Arawa, and will be on view on the 20th— the election holiday : 220 cases champagne, Roederer; 20 cases **** Hennessey's brandy ; 20 cases Jamieson's old whisky. The above lines are for the friends of progress. — The following lines will be served out to their opponents : 6 cases infernal machines (O'Donovan Rossa'a latest pattern) ; £ ton dynamite ; 2 cases " Rough on Rats."

We understand that a well-known sporting gentleman of this city intends to bring an action for slander against the son of an old identity for statements alleged to have been made concerning racing matters. — Wellington paper.

At the R M Court to-day Thomas Mo Qrath pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour while drunk on the raoe course. Sergeant Bullen said the case was a very bad one, the defendant having used violence, to an old and partly decrepid man until one of his own friends took him off A fine of £5 and 13s costs was inflicted, or six weeks imprisonment with hard labor in the Napier gaol. This ia the third one who has been fined £5 for disorderly behaviour during the race days. Persona when some distance away from a police station are apt to be more ready to be guilty of such conduct knowing it is beyond the reach of a peace officer to arrest them, but inflicting heavy fines may have the desired effect of letting them know such conduct cannot be tolerated.

A Dunedin telegram on Wednesday stated: The sensation as far as the latest betting market is concerned, was the backing of Vanguard for the Dunedin Cup, the commission being executed iv Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland on the same afternoon. It is said that £4000 was got about the Hon. Mr Robinson's horse, and if it keeps fit till the fall of the flag he will probably run a firm first favourite. On Wapti, also, there have been heavy investments, and a Christchurch bookmaker, who has just returned from the Auckland Race Meeting, laid 500 to 64 in one hand. So soon as it was known that the Hon. McLean had determined not to send last year's Cup winner to Wellington her price shortened considerably, and 100 to 14 is now the best offer. Another horse as to which inquiries have been made of late is July, about whom several hundreds have been pencilled during the week. The latest quotations are as follows :— IOO to 20 against Vanguard, 100 to 15 Wapiti, 100 to 14 Lady Emma, 100 to 10 Captain Webster and July, 100 to 8 Clogs, Sou wester, Nelson, Trenton Fusileer, and Liverpool, 100 to 7 Tasman and Oudeis, 100 to 6 Salvage, Johnny Faulkner, and Taiaroa. In doubles, Dunedin Cup and Publican's, brisk busine33 has been done. The favourite pick is Vanguard and Taiaroa, about whom a well-known sport took all the available money 100 to 6, In trebles with the hurdles, Borderman and Ravenswood are generally selected for the latter races.