KAWHIA DISTRICT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 163, 10 June 1909, Page 5

KAWHIA DISTRICT.

(Own Correspondent).

We frequently hear it stated that the Natives need protection and are not able to look after their interests, but Kawbia furnishes us with an example of how conntrary to fact this is. Recently a man representing himself to be a Government expert, has been visiting the Kawhia Dairymen and has offered his assistance to inspect and put in order their respective separators. This request has generally been readily acceded to, and after the work has been done, a grntle demand for remuneration in sums varying from 15s to 23s has politely fceen made, ami invariaby paid. But it chanced that this gentleman happened along to a leading Maori in the Kawhia twwns*nip who having Itstenel to this gentleman's description of himself, thought he wad just the man he wanted to inspect and put in order his separator. The work having been accomplished the usual demand for payment was made, when our poor ignorant Maori expressed surprise, and again asked if bb benefactor was not a Government expert, and again receiving a reply in the affirmative asked "why 1 pay you? You the Government man, the Government he pay you. Kia Ora!'* Clever Pakeha I Poor Natives 11

Settlers are generally pleased with the Hon. minister of Roads, Mr Hogg, having realised one of the important works necessary in the Marokopa district. He was, when visiting Kawhia, waited upon and asked for a grant for the tower portion of the Marokopa Valley road. Since his return to Wellington he has authorised a sum of money that will enable the work of making a bridle track to be completed at once, with the promise of more. Mr Williamson has already more than half of the work done, and, when completed, this road will be of immense service to those settlers who have to go down the valley to Marokopa. rhe swamp road at Hay lock "s is now nearly completed. This work, which is nearly 40 chains of filling, averaging 3 feet deep, has neccs arily been low, owing to the distance the earth has had to be carted.

There is not much bushfelling going on in the Kawhia district this season, but Mr Riddle and Mr McManiman are both getting down fairly large areas. The Marokopa sawmill is working full time, and has recently made fairly lar&c shipment to Waitara, the s,.s. Pitiotoi taking the timber away. All the local bridge timber is being supplied by the mill, and it is employing some twenty hands. Mr P. Bell is themanager, and is very hopeful of a prosperous future for the mill. Messrs Smart and Bell, who recently acquired Mr Gregg's sections in the Kiritehere Valley, have arrived. A serious accident happened at the residence of a settler, Mr John Wouldes at Kiritehere, on Thursday. The eight-year-old son of Mr Wouldes bad found a detonator on the road, and taking bis younger brother and sister to sec the fun, placed the cap on the flame of a lighted candle, the result being a violent explosion. Toe ycuthful experimenter was badly knocked about, having a hole put in his face below the eyes, while the tops of two fingers were blown off, besides numerous wounds in the face, body and hands. His two companions were also peppered. Dr Campbell Jenkins promptly attended the sufferers, who are now doing well. The two-year-old child of Mr and Mrs Crotty, Kinobaku, broke and arm la it Thursday, as the result of a fa)).