THE THAMES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 334, 21 December 1865, Page 1

THE THAMES.

(Prom tlie Correspondent of Southern Cross.) December 11. Wuxi am Thompson lately called a meeting at Whatitokarua of the Hau-haus in this district, for the purpose of considering the advisability of making some alteration or modification in the tenets of their religion. After a long korero, the most important result arrived at was, that no force should be used or exercised (as has hitherto been the case) to gain proselytes to their religion. The natives cannot now plead that they were threatened with violence, or force used to compell them to join against their will, they being now at perfect liberty to join or not as they themselves think proper. This meeting I believe, was caused principally from their hearing of the severe blow the Hau-haus had received at the East Coast. Perhaps they think it better to take time by the forelock, and abridge somewhat of the programme they had at first laid down before the force of arms shall compel them to do so against their wills. There are a great number of these Hau-haus up the Piako river, and at Kerepihi, 10 miles from the mouth; they can be seen daily at sunrise and sunset walkround a long pole, which they have erected, talking gibberish, which no one, nor they themselves can understand, they all, at the same, holding up their right hand towards whatever quarter the wind may be blowing. Many are beginning to get tired, the novelty being worn otf.

Owing to the late heavy rains, the banks of the Pialco river were overflown, destroying a quantity of their potato beds, the natives having planted great quantities during the past season. The New Zealand Flax Mills, at Kopu, are about to start. They are only awaiting the arrival of men from Auckland to commence operations. They have passed some of the flax through the mill, and the result, I hear, is satisfactory. A pair of 12-horse power, horizontal, low pressure condensing engines, fitted with all the latest improvements, have been fitted up, and work admirably, the boiler, rollers, stampers, and steeping-vat being all satisfactorily finished. There are one or two drawbacks, the principal one being a scarcity of fresh water, there being none within a mile in summer. Mr Biggs, manager of the mill, is now negotiating with the natives at Kirikiri to be allowed to cut a drain or lay down pipes from the fresh water creek at the above-mentioned place, to convey water to Kopu, Fresh water is absolutely necessary, as one of the principal agencies to which the flax will be subjected is a constant stream of fresh water. It is to be hoped that this undertaking may succeed, as it will be a great assistance to the trade of this district, and also to that of the province. Mr Nicholas, an old settler in this district met with an unfortunate accident by which he broke his leg, above the ankle, from falling over a piece of wood sticking from the ground. Dr. Troop, being luckily In the neighborhood, went and set the bone. (This Was three weeks after the accident.) Mr Nicholas is now under his care, and progressing most favorably. I had the pleasure last week of visiting one of the finest orchards and gardens in this province, belonging to Mr John W. Thorp, of this river. Belmont, the name of the place, is about 22 miles up the river, coming up which, and in turning a sharp bend, you come in sight of a pretty twostoried English-lookiug bouse, surrounded by fruit trees, shrubbery, and meadows, the latter beautifully green, the former laden with fruit—cherries and gooseberries predominating, Just now there are several avenues all covered with vines, producing in their season a splendid yield of grapes. Amongst other trees, I noticed some fine orange, mulberry, loquat, and pear trees. There is hardly a fruit that is not represented here. Around this large orchard are the meadows and fields. The dairy, famous throughout the whole district for its cheese and butter, is a credit to the province. Belmont, being as it is, in the midst of a great Maori district, miles from European settlements, and surrounded by wild and uncultivated lands, except small patches belonging to the natives, is indeed a green spot in the desert. It is places like this that are the stay and support of a colony. There are several hundred Hau-haus round about this place also.