Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1889.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5577, 24 September 1889, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1889.

NORTHERN SEPARATION. Tin-; House of Representations was not afforded an opportunity of giving a decision on the Waiapu County Bill, which passed the other branch of the Legislature with little discussion or opposition. However, it is safe to assert that the Lower House would have thrown out the measure if it had been called upon to exercise a voice in the matter, aud this would have been done in pursuance of a general principle. Tho opinion now prevails that there are too many local bodies in the colony. The amalgamation of counties is strongly ad vcoated. Last session, on the motion of the Premier, a Committee was appointed to enquire and report as to what form of local government was best adopted for the requirements of New Zealand. The Committee represented all parts of the colony. After taking evidence, and going into the matter as fully as time wouldpermit, the Committee brought up a report. The report must have put an end to Sir George Whitmore's hopes of getting the Waiapu County Bill passed into law. It may be necessary to remember that the proposed county embraced a portion of the Tologa riding, the object apparently being to include Mr Onnond's Anaura run. The following were the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on local government : (1.) 'DecontralisiitUm. (2.) Redu»-iun

lit the mUiibw 1 of luOi'.l IkkUi-h. (M.) A vWiiiiro hud ttXiit'l relation Ivl's-i-eii ihu jhnvuoo uf tho Uonuml Covui'tnnoiU hi id thiifc of the loo.'vi bodies. (4.) Tho establishment of local districts with elective governing bodies, the districts to be com paratively few in number, and to be deiined with due regard to the community <>f interest and the natural features of the country. Tho four large cities of the colon}-, with their .suburbs, to bo made separate districts, and the remainder of the colony to consist of not more than .sixteen districts. (5.) The constituting of local Councils by election by tho Borough and County Councils (or Road Boards where the Counties Act is not in force) within each district,with provision that the (i over nor- in-Councilmay, where necessary, alter, for the purpose of such election only, the boundaries of any borough, county, or Road Board district. The committee concluded by recommending that further enquiry bo made on the subject next session. Considering the importance of the subject, the report is exceedingly meagre. From the tables appended, it may be gathered that the proposed large .local bodies are to have control of education, inspection of stock, hospitals and charitable aid, police and prisons. No definite recommendations are made on the subject, but the expenditure on each of the above heads is given, and certain sources of revenue are mentioned, with the view, wo suppose, of showing how the decentralized system of government might bo carried on. The real and personal taxable property in the colony is set down at a value of L 115,000,000, which at a penny in the £ would yield a revenue of about L 480.000. There are no exemptions. The stamp revenue (exclusive of the postal department) amounts to L 230,003. According to the expenditure last year, the two sources of revenue mentioned above would amply cover the cost of ad-liinii-ii-criny lliu vlcjini tniOul.i wliicli flio committee, presumably, intend should be placed under the charge of the districts. It appears to us that this would be pretty much a revival of the provincial system of Government. The outlying districts under the scheme would be in a worse position than at present. Instead of one centre there would be a score. However, it is scarcely worth while discussing the committee's recommendations, which are of so shadowy a nature. There is a feeling throughout the country that more power should be conferred upon the local governing bodies, but public opinion is decidedly adverse to a revival of provincialism. Suppose the East Coast was created a local district, endowed' with all the powers hinted at by the committee, this end of the Bay would have a paramount influence in the administration of affairs, and the northern end, owing to the large interests involved, would be at. a greater disadvantage than is alleged at present. The question of local government really seems incapable of settlement in a .satisfactory manner without a erreat improvement in general and local finances. The question of £.s.d. is at the root of the difficulty. Liberal subsidies from the consolidated revenue would lnnlco things on smoothly enough, but the General Government cannot spare ihe money, and the taxpayers of the colony would strongly object to the imposition of further burdens. The Harbor Board meets this evening. Court William Gladstone meets to-night. The s.s. Fairy is expected here from Napier to-morrow. The P.B. Road Board call for tenders for works in their district. An amateur theatrical performance is being got up at Patutahi. Mr Hare lectures in the hall over Wingate, Burns and Co.'s on Wednesday uight. Applications for suburban selections in the township of Uawa close at the Lands Offico to-morrow. Capt. Edwin telegraphed to the Harbormaster to-day ; — North -east to east and south gate next twelve hours, with heavy sea irmi heavy rain, and glass further fn.ll. The death is announced of Mr William Walter McClive, the well-known and much respected Patutahi storekeeper. Mr McClive died in town at the residence of his father-in-law, Mr Jiimes Rosie, where he has been lying dangerously ill for some time. The freezing hulk Prince of Wales, for (iisborne, is now due at Napier from London, having left that port on 24th June. Her engines, which will drive her about 4 or ") knots an hour, were to be used part of the way, and as she is now 89 days out, she should arrive shortly. The spring programme of the Poverty Bay Turf Club has again attracted a goodly number of nominations, and despite predictions to the contrary the above Club seem to be thoroughly in touch with the Hawke's Bay owners and trainers. It may be safely predicted that our handicapper will be again equal to the occasion, and, given a good handicap, it must be admitted things look very rosy for the Spring meeting of the P.B. Turf Club. Messrs Graham, Pitt, and Bennett held a sale of stock at Mr Cooper's paddocks, Waerengu-a-hika, to-day. The attendance was fair, notwithstanding the rain that set in early in the morning. The first lot of sheep offered consisted of 350 ewas with lambs at foot, and were, bought by Mr G. L. Sunderland at; 10s a head ; 70 cross-bred hoggets, mixed ages, realised 9s Gd, Mr Knight being the buyer ; another lot of ewes with lambs were passed in, not having reached the reserve of Bs. In another column it is announced that Mr J. A 1 Harding has been appointed local agent for that great concern, the Kauri Timber Company. Mr Harding has an excellent reputation amongst those eugaged in the building trade, and he is now in a better position than before to execute all orders that may be entrusted to him by his numerous customers and others. Besides keepitig ix large stock on hand. Mr Harding will be prepared to arrange for large or small consignments at mill prices. Among the periodicals in the local Library we notice the "Insurance Times" of New York, which contains amongst other interesting matter (under the heading, E. F. Beddail) a resume of the operations in the United States of a company represented here, viz., the "Royal." It says the success of the Company from the start in 1845 has been phenomenal, having accumulated the largest surplus possessed by any fire insurance company in the world, in proof of which after the Boston fire in 1872, its apent3 there drew on the Home omce at throe days' sight for l,250,00()dol, leaving the United States assets unimpared and untouched. It has never missed its dividend or even reduced it, and consequently its stock is now selling at k 2,000 per cent., a higher price than ever attained by any insurance company in the world. They cv - dently consider it a big company in the land of big things. Altogether the article is well worth perusal by insurers. Mr H. C. Boy lan is the local agent for the Royul Insurance Company. The Creyniouth correspondent of the (Jan] terbnry Times says that it was not an uncommon thing a few years ago to read advertisements in the American papers applying for a " fighting editor— must be a good shot." He adds :— " At the present moment we have in our midst a gentleman who for the last f<rv months has been editing a, paper published in a mining district, and if his experience during that time is the common lot of editors, by all means lot the ] use of firearms and fisticuffs form part of a journalistic education, not necessarily for use, but in case of accident." The gentleman in question is at the present moment lying on the broad of his back in his hotel at ("iroymouth, having arrived there en routt for Hokitika (where he goes to defend an iir.Mon for libel). He is unfortunately suffering from a slight difference of opinion between ii well-known publican und himself as to the truth of certain statement contained in an article on juiilury matters which ■ npciired in his paper some days npo. The Hnkitika correspondent of the same pap-r gives further particulars and states Ihe unfortunate editor is Mr Wilkie, of theßeefton Guardian. i

'VUis Mhwutg lutiar has licon received i-- 1 Sir, ,r tliiiik it In nnghinio to solid U> ihv J'jMhihifciou the eldur pupils of our uollooU. riio menu* to Aq so, I think, could be raised by a children's uosiourt, a ball, and v Bruoe Auction, ami any other itjsmuis tlmt could be suggested by a (Jmimittep formed. It is possible for the Guvcrmiuiiit to allovv tlifir boats to V:\ns children from the different centres: if not, <il- a slai.-k time I have no doubt t'.<- Union Compuiy could take them at a very low mU-. Tho Xluyor ami Mayoress of IKmodin v »ul«l l>u written to inviting ibt; U>Yn:a of that town to inform them what number of girls each one would provide for a f'.;\v d ivh. Tlia b->ya < ould use the schools for their -slco ing apartmunts, or ! oven tents conld bn erected on the grounds. I The pupils should wear a distinguishing uniform, and be under the direction of thiir guardians. I have no doubt some of our Giaborne visitors would assist to look after thorn. The School Committee should determine the ages that should go. Perhaps many parents would pay the expenses of their own children under careful guardians. There are a good number oE very intelligent youths in our district. 1 think they would bring back amongst them nearly the whole of the exhibits, and scatter their observationf broadcast, to tho benefit of the whole district. I think it is a duty we owe to the rising generation to impart every pirtule of knowledge we have acquired. Knowledge is like a nicely-rounded hoop, there is no end to it ; and in future we hope to be directed by the cleaverest heads, guarding us against such ti heavy depression as we ure now experiencing. I beg of thu whole of the people to agree with me The object is a good one. A meeting should be held, and a committee elected to enquire in every particular as to cost, &0., at once. — A. Wkstox. Usual weekly meeting of the Literary Society to-night, 7.30. Essay: " Rise aud Distinctive Features of European Life," by Mr Snuiill.— Ad. Patutahi Public; Hall. Preliminary. " His Excellency " and "My Uncle's Wilt." Oct. 10 and 11.— T. W. Bilhain.-(Advt.) PnrfihlAM of the Divine Teacher— The j sower, rich man and Lazarus, ten virgins, mid what do they teach ? Hull, Wingate, Burns and Co. Wednesday, 7.30. — (Advt.) Union Literary Society — Lust meeting of the session, Thursday, Sept. 26th. Conversazione in new Schoolroom. Curiosities, Waste Paper Basket. Contributions invited from members and others. All will be welcomed. — Advt. Ireland's national characteristics — Praties and poteen. The "Ballyhooiy" Bluchcr at Honuessy's, fis Gd pur pair, slashing value. -- Advt.