EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 850, 26 March 1903, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

DEGENERATION OF THE MAORI.

(By Wuaro.)

After hearing tho criminal enses tried at

the lato S.M. Court held at Port Awanui ono can only arrivo at one conclusion as regards tho fitnoss of the Natives to locally govern themselves. With all tho talk of tho so-called “ young Maori party ” and "their supposed efforts to elevate and regenerate the race, it is obvious to the most casual observer that the Native is becoming more and more dograded. Since the great meeting held at Wuiomatatini, tho district has been the proy of sundry and many tohungas who have practised hot water and other cures, which means water in which bark and leaves have been boiled, used as a warm bath by evory patient for all sorts of descases, and reboiled until it became, one would imagine,

like tho “ porridge pot ” at Whakurewarewa. This was actually carried on at the seat of the groat reform movement at Waiomatatini, until another tohuuga came along as a faith-healer with a touch of Hauhauism and he has apparently taken tho cake by attracting to himsolf the followers of his predecessors, much to their disgust and pecuniary loss. Those praotises are no doubt a part of the great sanitary measures to bo inaugurated, and will be inspected at the cost of the unfortunate ratepayer when the Native sanitary in- I spectors that wo read of are appointed. On the Coast thero has been nose biting, safe robbery, and (to say the least) a most suspicious case of the woman Hene, found dead in tho Maraehara creek, the circumstances of whose death have never been properly cleared up. Now we have “ sticking up ” near Mangahanea, and hotel robbery, and many other things which never come before tho Court, all dono by Nativos, together with a decidedly hostile feeling towards tho whitos, which is apparently growing stronger overy day. The fact cannot be disguised that the same feeling does not now exist as did formerly between the European and his darker neighbor. Tho Natives are moro aggressive in every way, and it appears to be a groat mistake on the part of the Government to sanction the military drilling of Nativo school children, which is carried on at one Nativo school on tho Coast. We have heard a great deal of the great Ngatiporou tribe, their improvement socially and morally, but there is nothing to show it, they have more churches certainly, which thoy don’t use, and moro money, which they spend. But many of the Ngatiporou, or what is left of them, is the samo old Ngatiporou, such as some of the older settlers have seen removing their implements which the settlers were powerless to stop after the massacre, and holding “ Donnybrook ” at Waerenga-a hika corner. Thoy have land, and good land, which thoy don’t and probably never will use owing, probably, to their communism. Tho lands they have improved and which are used by them as sheep-runs are, as a rule, in tho hands of an oligarchy and the powerless majority reap little, and in some cases no benefit from any profits that may accrue, being in a much worse state than when each man had his pig and his corn patch. The “ Maori land for the Maori ” has been run long enough; given proper treatment as regards their lands, and being allowed to individually own such lands as they require, there is no doubt that many of them would make good settlers, but Europeanise them and not let them return to their old savagery without the controlling influence of tho chiefs. Rut the powers that be do not see matters in this light, and until they do, it seems that instead of Native sanitary inspectors we want a good strong police force.

TOKOMABU BAY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The farewell.to Mr and Mrs W. D. SMacdonald will be bold on Friday first, taking the form of a social and dance, in the capable hands of Messrs McGavin and Buchanan success is assured. I hear about ninety entries have been received for tho Dog Trials, and a much higher class of work is expected this year. The cricuetor’s ball will 1)9 held as soon as practicable after the other festivities are over and before winter sets in._ Tho return cricket match, North v. South, is also likely to como off shortly, also tho return Mata v. Tolago Bay ; both matches are likely to he played at Tokomaru.

TOKOMARU RACES.

The local races on Saturday were run after half-past one o’clock, and proved a fairly successful meeting for tho Club. Mechanic's form was altogether too good for his opponents, winning the two principal events quito easily. There was a fair attendance of spectators, but not up to previous years, and a fair business was dono by the numerous iinanciers present. Tho secretary had all his work woll in hand and managed everything satisfactorily. Tho starter also was most successful in getting tbo holds off .at tho opportune time. Mr Jameson as treasurer j and representative of Mr F. 15. phepherd hod a very busy day, and established his popularity as host and entertainer. Fo.. lowing are tho results Maiden Plate: Waiata 1, Monako To Puka 3. Flying Handicap: Mochanic 1, Tyndale 2, Pistol Grip 3. Maiden Scurry : Waiapu 1, Dolly Gray 2, Tutira 3. Tokomaru Handicap: Meohanio 1, Local Option 2, Malcolm 3. , District Handicap: Te Pau 1, Waiati 2, Jubilee 3. Farewell Handicap: Local Option L Cygnet 2, Tyudalo 3.