MISDIRECTED FAVORS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 249, 19 January 1889, Page 2

MISDIRECTED FAVORS.

It has been announced that an entertainment will shortly ba given in aid of the Gisborne Library. Now we fully appreciate the kindness of those ladies and gentlemen who will take part in the performance, nor do we in any way question their right to bestow their efforts upon any object they may choose, but having once taken up the matter we would be lacking in consistency if we did not follow it uP at the present juncture. An appeal is to be made to the public—prompted we admit by the most commendable motives— or assis. tance to an institution which is at present misnamed the Gisborne Public Library. Misnamed, we say, for that is the plain truth. We feel sorry to disparage ths well-meant efforts of those who are organising the entertainment, and we only do so because we think that those efforts might be used for a much better purpose. In a recently written article we characterised the “ institution ” as nothing else than an unduly favored competitor with local booksellers, and if there ought to be any appeal to the public it might be much more fittingly made on behalf of those who are subjected to this competition. The so-called Public Library is altogether out of touch with the public, and it is just as well the true position is properly recognised. Not a single member of the Committee attempted any justification in the face of the remarks previously made, so that it may well be assumed they freely admit the force of all that has been said, and at the same time recognise their own weak position. There are many really worthy objects which might well deserve the patronage of the ladies and gentlemen who have undertaken the performance of *’ Our Boys.” but of course it is not for us to dictate to them, and it would be a breach of good manners for us to go further than to express our regret that they have not chosen a more worthy object, and in addition to announce our determination to reals! any benefit being tendered to the Library as a public institution, If it is dona at all it must be understood it is entitled to no sympathy on that assumption. There can be no objection to any number of private persons organising an entertainment for whatever object they may choose: there is a certain price fixed for admission, and those who make it a point of attending have an idea that they willget their money’s worth: if the thing is for a public or charitable object certain allowances are always made, and many people who may not have a taste for the class of entertainment provided, yet feel perfectly content when they know the object to which their spare money has been devoted. We feel positive the amateur company which intend playing “ Our Boys ” will be quite competent to please a large audience without reference to the object, and we intend no reflection whatever in that respect. What wa do contend, though* is that if the Library ae at present managed is claimed to be a worthy public inetitutioh, to admit the WOUld M to Mt up »» imposture,

It is at all times gratifying to learn of any means which may be availed of for the advancement of the district, and in this light we must regard every new industry commenced, no matter how modest may be its beginning. Mr Wall, a gentleman lately arrived from the South, as the representative of the “ Standard Coffee, Pepper, and Spice Company,” proposes commencing business in Gisborne, and is already making preliminary preparations, fruit growers being invited to communicate with Mr Wall as to the quantity of fruit they are able to supply. The importance of such an industry being established is sufficient to warrant ns in expressing a hope that it will be as successful as it deserves to be for the enterprise of those who are at the head of affairs. Fruit growers may then expect to have an outlet for their produce of which hitherto there has been no prospect. Among the articles which in time it is intended to manufacture are sauce, pickles, jam, condensed milk, pepper, coffee, inks, blacking, bacon powder, candied peel, fruit wines, vinegar, and other things. If all goes as well as anticipated from eighty to a hundred # tona of fruit will be required during the season. Of course we can offer no opinion as to how far the promoters’ anticipations may be successful —of that they ought themselves to be the best judges—but we sincerely hope they may be successful. The only wonder is that the Standard Company has not been forestalled in the line of business which they intend,to take up, but the fact of this not being the case was no doubt a material inducement to the Company to start in Gisborne.