EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 820, 19 February 1903, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

LETTER FROM TE ARAItOA.

i (From Our Own Corresrpondcnt,.) After leaving Awanui I crossed over to To Araroa, a distance of about 20 miles. The road is not macadamized by any means, and is fair for part of the way. Wherever the bush has been cleared for the road, grass is plentiful. The land is of first-rate quality. Thousands of acres are in its primitive state, and has never been touched by the woodman’s axe so far, and as things look now, thero is not likely to be much done to it for a long time to come. In talking to tho natives as to tho bonofits they would receive from cutting up the lands and lotting them to Europeans, they said that they did not care to force tho old men’s hands, as thoy will do nothing as long as they live, but when they aro gone they would then act; but it seems to mo that tho old men aro outliving tho young, and if wo have to wait until tho young become old enough to acquire land, I can only say that it is a poor lookout for tho pakoha. Tho natives up hero do not boliove in the Native Council or the Board which has been set up. The only way I seo clear of acquiring land hero is to tax tho natives who hold over a certain amount of country. This will compol them to sell or lease. Thousands of wild cattlo roam the forest, and it is good sport for the natives to go out with their dogs and bring in a beast. The game is very exciting ; it is wonderful how soon a dog will bring down a heavy beast, while the Maori finishes him oil with his ritle. Wo came across a mob of thirty this week, and popped a nice heifer over. The grateful rains have dono much good, but came too late for tho maize. The Maoris have planted a very largo crop of potatoes and kumaras, but of the wrong sort for salo. lam giving them seed of a moro saleable kind for next season’s planting as a trial. Mousles aro very prevalent here just now, and tho Postmaster is kept administering mcdicino. At To Araroa tho Tuhunga or Native doctor is rampant. It is amusing to watch their copers. There is no doubt but they aro ono of tho means of the Maori population on the Coast decreasing. Something should be done to stop these cunning people from extorting money through witchcraft from their neighbors. It is rumored here that a company are trying to get sufficient means to erect a freezing works at Young’s Point in this picturesque bay. There is no doubt that it will bo hailed with great delight by all the farming community, as the distance to drivo sheep to Gisborne is so far that freezers are not fit for the chambers when they arrive after a distance of nearly a hundred miles, and little to eat on the road, especially in winter when the roads are bad. Tho settlors are thinking of putting a telephone between To Araroa and Hick’s Bay. The Goverment refuse to givo any aid, but are willing to tako it over when completed. .WAIPIRO BAY, (From Our Own Correspondent.) Those interested in the denizens of the deep wero afforded a vory rare sight on Sunday last, whon a monstrous sword fish came ashore here. This huge fish measured a little over 12ft in length, its sword measuring about 2ft, and breadth of tail about 4ft. From the back of the head and extending for about 18 inches towards tho tail was a large'fin, which could be raised like a boat sail, or folded back into a socket at will. It is surmised that its death was caused by Bwimming into the rocks, as part of the sword had evidently been broken off. The natives who found it were at a loss to know what it was, and started cutting it up, but finally left it to be washed about by the heavy sea that came up by tho next tide. It was a groat pity that this splondid specimen could not havo been preserved and forwarded to tho museum, as I expect anothor opportunity would not occur in a lifotime. It is perhaps needloss to add that our local photographers gathered in forco and “ shot ” to their heart’s content. A team of cricketers from tho Coast intend to go on tour as far as Napier about the 9th March, playing tho local Napier Clubs and Gisborne on their return.

A cricket match is to bo playod next Thursday at Mr T. S. Williams’ Matahiia Station, betwoon Waipiro and Tuparoa. A good contest is expected, as most of the cricketors aro up to rep. form. Tho Gazette notifies that Jessie Evangolino Beattie, of To Araroa, has been authorised to act as a native interpreter of the second grade.