WAIPAWA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3118, 25 June 1881, Page 3

WAIPAWA.

(feom our own correspondent.; June 24, 1881.

It is sad to relate that Waipawa is at present perfectly devoid of news, being quieter than I have seen it for many a day, and as I am not so ingenious,—or perhaps inventive would be the better word—as some of my fellow " ink slingers," lam unable to " make news, but •will endeavor to jot down a few scraps that may be of interest to a portion of your readers. Before doing so I would like to sincerely thank the worthy editor of our local paper for the hind way in which he referred to my remarks re the burial of John White, and I am sure the authority they mention must also feel proud of such a champion ; if he did intimate that he would like my remarks referred to in the way they were all I can cay is—well, no matter, I'll forgive him. As for my friend, the editor, perhaps he was abort of "news?" and errare est humanum.

' Our local footballers are not as I thought to play the " City" Clnb tomorrow, but on the 9th of July. lam glad to Bee them going in for a little of practice, a goodly number turning out on Wednesday afternoon for about a couple of hoars, and for the begining of the -season shaping very well,the "Leviathan" (I hope he will excuse this liberty, but he is immense at this noble game) of course being all there. I only hope he will be back in time for the struggle on the 9th, and none the worse for his trip down South.

There was a momentary excitement here yesterday afternoon, when two of Mr Harding's men were seen driving several horses through the township, •with the evident determination of pounding them. Maoris innumerable, both great and small, seemed to spring from every corner, one or two starting in pursuit of, as they supposed, their animals, but I need scarcely add very soon returning having done nothing very desperate. I found out afterwards that only one of the quadrupeds belonged to the natives, the remainder being the property of a wellknown Waipawa Pakeha.

I have jasfc heard of rather an amusing scene which took place at Kaikora this afternoon, though probably it will have its serious side as well, but of that anon. It appears a lady, when purchasing certain land in that district, had a right of way through some adjoining property belonging to a well known J.P. granted to her, but up till now has never been able to get the use of it, her neighbor refusing to let her have it surveyed, in fact refusing to acknowledge it at all. Knowing she was in the right, and getting tired of the inconvenience of having to travel three miles when wanting to visit the township, instead ot about half a mile, she instructed a gurveyor to lay out the road, which he proceeded to do to-day, almost finishing, and beginning to hope that all danger of obstruction was over. He bad only a pouple more " bearings" (excuse this if it is not the technical term) to take. when the worthy Lord of the Manor, followed by two stalwart men, one brandishing a formidable looking weapon in the shape of a tomahawk, put in an appearance, and at once became very boisterous, ordering the surveyor to desist from his work, etc., etc. ; but he (the surveyor) being on public property, and having had a little experience of this gentlemen's bounce before did not do so, but went on quietly taking his bearings. This indifference of course added fuel to the fire, and now began tbe amusing part of the performance, for not being able by words or threats to stop the work the indignant one told his men to take their coats off and wave them in front of the theodolite. This they did, and to give the old gentleman his due they did it well, jumping and rushing about like Maoris at a war dance (scarcely as graceful perhaps), their " boss" not being at all behindhand, but in lieu of a coat gesticulating with a flag which he had torn from its position. It was very soon apparent that all this trouble was in vain, for the surveyor somehow managed to finish, though the pegs which he placed in the ground were at once knocked out by the irate landlord, who, now he found he was " euchered," displayed his anger in every petty way be could think of. Notice being given him that the wires -would be cut some time in the evening he despatched post

haste for the police, who by the latest accounts were on the spot watching with the Squire's myrmidons for a young man with a dark lantern and a file. I had perhaps better not repeat any of the conversations that took place, as to say tne least they were very unparliamentary. As this will probably be a casfe for the court to decide you will hear more on the subject from yours truly. Apropos of surveying Mr A. H. Ross, of Makaretu, is making Waipawa his head-quarters, having opened an office nearly opposite the Court House.