HICK’S BAY NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1778, 8 June 1906, Page 2

HICK’S BAY NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Following the examplo of tbe natives lower down tbe oast, Ibo Maoris here are prepariog to undertake co-operative sheep fanning. They are at piesont busy filling bush, and hope this winter lo have some hundreds of acres felled, after which they intend to sow in grass tbe area so cleared and stock it in sbeep next yoar. Tho t-Jopbone lino, which t'io Maoris a-o erecting at their own expenso from the E*ot Cape round irjto the Bay of Plenty, has now reached Te Araroa, and ia Itsi than a month tho contractor hopes to have it finished as far as Hicks’ Bay. For the purpose of raisirg money to pay for the erection of the maontnes at the two native settlements in the Bay, a dance wag held here on the 25th ult. Many natives oame from the various places on tbe coast, and the usual quietness of the B»y was that evening disturbed by the greetings and salutations of tbe natives as each party arrived. Some £25 was colltpied at the daces.

Game is not very abundant this year, but the birds are, nevettheless, fat and plump.