WAIROA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3066, 25 April 1881, Page 3

WAIROA.

(from our own correspondent.;

April 23, 1881

The native Committee meeting re the Opoho block is just about finished. Over one hundred foolscap sheets of evidence were taken, which, if translated and printed, would form a most interesting pharaphlet on "Ye manners and ye customs" of New Zealand from some hundrds of years ago down to the arrival of the missionaries. The Opoho question seems now mainly to hinge on the whereabouts of an old well called the Kokonu, each party locating it in a different place. Some of the Napier chiefs have gone to ascertain for themselves.

Captain Preece, R.M., arrived here on Tuesday, and was occupied during the whole of Wednesday, and Tharsday and a portion of Friday in hearing and settling the numerous cases that had accumulated since last Court day, and a precious hard time he must have had of it, having to be clerk and interpreter as well as R.M. It appears the second constable sent from the field force to perform those duties has also been found wanting; the first constable has been, and still is, in attendance as dry nurse to the second constable, and still the work of the Court cannot be done satisfactorily. Constable No. 2 completely broke down in the interpreting; it seems he speaks a different dialect to that used in Wairoa, and as he belongs to another part of the island it is very probable be does. It is rumoured that, on behalf of the natives, Mr Henare Tomoana, M.H.R., is going to make enquiries in the matter. It is notified in the New Zealand Gazette that this county is included in the Hawke's Bay district for shooting purposes. The license fee is fifty shillings for shooting either imported or native game. Now, does this act apply to Maoris! or if it does, is it in accordance with the treaty of Waitangi? The Bishop of Waiapu is here, and proceeds to-day to Ramoto to consecrate a church built by the pious and Rev. Tamihana Huata,