TAURANGA.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 2, Issue 60, 24 February 1868, Page 48

TAURANGA.

We take paragraphs from Record, Feb. 8 : ■ Having accomplished the all-important object of "getting the Kati Kati surveyed, we may look forward speedy opening up of this" hitherto, little known district. •The' fact of the natives offering no resistance to the surveyors, who have been on the ground for some ipontbs past, is a matter for congratulation, and we may reasonably infer that they intend to yield entire and peaceable possession of this really valuable block. Tt is mainly attributable to this'uncertainty with regard to the’ nattves that so little is known of this fine district. Hitherto it has been regarded by many as a tarry incognita —a centre of disaffection, where those who valued their lives might not venture. Nor was this an altogether exaggerated view of the case, for Te Puna has long been the favorite haunt of the rebel tribes of that neighborhood, who visited there for the purpose of procuring fish, which can be caught in great abundance off its shores. The non-existence of any practical thoroughfare between Te Papa and 3£ati 3£ati is regarded by many as a serious drawback, which undoubtedly it is; but the construction of a road between the two places is merely a matter of time, which will be speedily accomplished when the necessity for it grows pressing. Meanwhile there is the advantage of splendid water communication with Te Papa, by means of which the settler can not only have his goods brought safely and expedi tiously to within a short distance of his farm, but in larger quantities, and without the trouble and annoyance usually a’tending the transit of goods long distances overland. With regard to the, land, it is, we believe, of superior quality; not so broken as the generality of land round here, and intersected with numerous tidal rivers, which are navigable, for boats of from one to two tons, a considerable distance from their mouth. Taken as a whole, it would be hard to find a spot so plentifully provided by nature with qualities at once useful and ornamental. The hope, too, of gold being discovered in its vicinity is not altogether dead, and we may be sure that no effort will be left untried by those interested in discovering its whereabouts. Independent of this, however, it only requires time and a little capital to make Jiati Kati a thriving agricultural district, that will be a credit and a source, of wealth to this place. At the monthly Militia muster parade on Friday morning Col. Harrington informed the men that when the Defence Minister was here last it was intended that a Constab uliry F. rce of 25 men for here and 25 for Opotiki were to be raised; but upon he (Colonel Harrington) stating that it waß unfair to bring strangers here who had no interest in the place, when there were so many bona fide s-ttlers who had struck themselves off pay for the purpose of going on their land, and had not been able to do so owing to the unsettled state of affairs j that it would preferable to put 25 on pay month about. He had received a letter approving of the suggestion. The pay for privates would be 4s. per day, and allowance of 6s. per month for clothing. Those men who were in receipt of their twelve months ration money would receive it as usual. The men were to give in their names at the orderly room on Monday before 12 o’clock, and those approved of would draw for precedence. The first 23 to go out on the 13th of this month and remain till the end of March to prevent confusion in the paymaster’s accounts. Dr. Henry would be struck off pay on the 13th. and if they required him they would have to pay him’themselves.