THE Poverty Bay Independent. Published every Saturday morning. Saturday April 4, 1885.

Poverty Bay Independent, Volume I, Issue 5, 4 April 1885, Page 1

THE Poverty Bay Independent. Published every Saturday morning. Saturday April 4, 1885.

The overwhelming majority in favor of the Harbor Board Loan-amply demonstrates what the united action of a few

energetic and uncompromising men can do, not alone iu> carrying out a great

measure, but also in effectually 1 stamping out all opposition. To those who are only capable of exercising a superficial judgment upon srtch matters it would appear that the opponents to the harbor scheme had no existence except

in the excited brains of some of its fearful and zealous advocates. No opinion could be more erroneous ; for nothing is more certain than the fact that a very large and numerous body* of opponents really existed ; but having flo one bold euough to assume the com-

mand and to face the determined men which had formed themselves into a well organised band, they were simply vanquished in detail. But as one volunteer is better than ten pressed men, we sincerely hope that one and all will now work unanimously together to push and increase the impetus which Thursdays voting gave to the harbor ball. It is simply childish to squabble over the question as to who first brought forward the beneficent measure, or as to who has”'assisted most in promoting its progress. It ought to be sufficient for all parties that have in any measure contributed towards its success that the work is indispensible to the progress and welfare of one of the choicest spots and most favored portion- of these beautiful and promising colonies ; that it will assuredly assist in promoting the'grand march of civilization and onward progress which is the first aim of all enlightened people ; and that it will give the lie direct to those defamers of this struggling community and our unequalled district-. In the harbor question there is but one figure which stands out in clearly defined and bold relief from amidst a number of others who deserve our warmest gratitude—one that is always seen in the foremost ranks of those noble philanthropists who, sinking self, live for the opportunity of doing good to their fellow men —we refer to Sir George Grey. Our late member, Mr. McDonald, done his ut.ns’tfor the harbor, and our present respected member, Mr. Locke, has done the sanne. Both alike deserve our sincere thanks; and both, we trust, will live to participate in the general benefit which will undoubtedly accrue to Lie whole community.-

It becomes our duty, in the interests of those from whom we derive our existence and support, to call attention to a subject which intimately affects all grades of oUr supporters and which reflects somewhat strongly upon a class of our fellow workers who have up to the present deserved our sincere thanks for the manner in which, through their enterprise, our wants have been met, at the cost of much perseverance and trouble on the part of those who have undertaken the task of milk purveying. But whilst the labor has been severe the remuneration has been pro--portionate, and in all cases of genuine' business mutuality, in a fair exchange of equivalents, has led to entire satisfaction on the part of the vendor and the vendee. But, if we are rightly informed.this desirable state of trade no longer exists, and the initiation of a Dairy Factory in our midst cannot be looked upon in the true. light of an unmixed blessing. Too much importance cannot be attached to the necessity which exists for having otir daily supply of milk delivered fresh, wholesome, and pure. Not alone is the continuous health' of the strong and robust dependent upon such’ a condition, but with the aged, the invalid, and the sickly, in many stages of suffering and disease, it is a question of life or death. But there is another clafts of sufferers whodeserve ouT utmost sympathy and pro-tection—-we refer to the poor little helpless suckling who, either through that refined species of brutality which has of late become so fashionable in that charnel house called “Society' which leads the unwomanly and unnatural mother to totally ignore the position and responsibilities which nature has put upon* her and fitted her ■ for, by bawling over her newborn and helpless Offspring to the doubtful mercies of a hireling and rhe “bottle;” or who, by death or sickness, or other u-nforseen circumstances, hasbeen deprived of its natural nutriment.- ' To such as these it means either a life ' or strength, health ami happiness or a- ■ weak ailing life of misery, frequently ha-nded down from generation to gen-e-ration, tints propagating a race of invalids. The legislature, fully recognising the importance of maintaining the quality and purity of this indispensable art'cle of human food, have in the' adulteration act, 1884. laid down clearly defined rules for the guidance and protection of the general public, where--by the vendor renders himself liable to severe punishment “( 1> Il anv substance' 0 r sub'jtances' has or have been- mix-ed

with it so as to reduce or lower or injuriously affect its quality, strength, purity, or true value ; (2) If any inferior or cheaper substance or substances has or have been substituted wholly or in part for the article ; (3) If any valuable constituent of the article has been wholly or in part abstracted.” The second schedule to the Act states that 11) “Milk shall contain not less than 9.0 per cent, by weight of milk solids, not fat, and not less than 2.5 per cent, of butter fat.” —We need scarcely say that much of the milk now being sold in town is much below this standard. It rests entirely with those mostseriousIv concerned as to wether we, in the interests of the public, avail ourselves of those wholesome provisions of the law as set forth in the Act, or whether such a proceeding is rendered unnecessary by the removal of the cause of complaint.