OUR TARANAKI LETTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4432, 3 June 1875, Page 2

OUR TARANAKI LETTER.

(from our own correspondent.) New Plymouth, May 27. There is a little Mokau talk on just now. A number of Maoris pass through New Plymouth about once a month to and from Tariaka. They are mixed as to age, sex, and standing. Some are chiefs of note, men of travel, who speak English well, and who know and are known to Sir Donald McLean, and have interviewed him as well in Wellington as in their own native districts. Some are boys, some young men. Occasionally women are of the party. Arrived at Tariaka, the oracles of the Maori prophet Te Whiti (the telegraph obstructionist) are listened to, and there is much feeding. Many of the natives who pass through New Plymouth often come long distances, and are not generally very communicative. The natives have a few friends in town with whom they are tolerably free. The friendship of the Mokau natives ie much sought by such white men as are interested in Maori doings ;• and some are, or profess to be, well posted up as. to probable future doings. The ’ ominous shake of the white man’s head after an interview with any of the natives who may be travelling to or from the meeting, on the question being put of “ What news,” indicates that more is known than is wise to telL Mokau news is served out much after the fashion in which a goldminer speaks of the locality or prospects of a reputed new find. There is a good deal of the mysterious about it. “ We could a tale unfold, but will not.” . ■ There is very little doubt but what many of the Mokau natives are anxious for European intercourse and facilities for trading. The kindly manner in which such white men as have now and then made their way to the districts are treated, gives ample evidence of such being the case. There is little question, in spite of prohibition, but what some men have been in Maori territory, and that a few are sufficiently intimate with influential natives as to be assured of safe conduct. It is said that a volunteer crew could be made up at any time, at a short notice, who would gladly man a . cargo boat and go to Mokau, if permission were granted by the authorities, and that there is not the slightest doubt but what they would be favorably received. One man has lately been in the Maori district, who, a few mouths back, was taken up the river about thirty miles. The Maori King has a white man with him—chiefs of lesser note desire to have white men that they may become familiar with European customs and devices. Te Wetere is said to have a strong desire to have his white man, .and has by deputy, and in person, pleaded with the Kinofor permission. Many chiefs readily make friends with white men, and once the ban is removed will quickly make a selection. To be, a chiefs adviser and help is an object of ambition with some men. The position would be one of profit. A late visitor to the forbidden territory says that Te Wetere has been successful in his mission to the King, and that the permission sought has been granted, as well' as liberty given to trade, but that the conditions or desire have not yet been formally made known at the Native Office. The late visitor takes credit for having helped to bring about this change, and is of opinion, with many others, that except for the occasional visits of white men, and intercourse with natives when in town, the opening would not have been agreed to for a long while to come. A few days will prove whether or not the statements are correct, and whoever may get the credit, there can be no doubt but good will result from the opening of the Mokau to traders. Several folks are anxiously waiting for the chance • and if facilities for communication were easy) it is not unlikely that there would be a slight

rush of men and goods. There is plenty of room, and no doubt all who are anxious will get well placed. At the present time Maori law is being carried out with a high hand in their own locality, especially in regard to unfaithfulness on the part of the women, of which there has been several cases of late. Utu is sought and obtained on any and every pretext. If the river should be opened, a now direction will bo given to native energy, and stimulus will be given to production. High up the riverplenty of wheat is grown, and the late visitor said natives would be only too glad of the opportunity of exchanging their own produce, for European wares. The visit of the Superintendent of Taranaki to Wellington has slightly raised the hopes of dwellers in this isolated part of the colony. The names of persons whom the General Government propose to elect as members of the Harbor Board are generally, approved, but it seems to be along look ahead before there will bo a harbor. The General Government have already been a long time in selecting persons, and if it takes ns long to elect them, we may expect to have summer here before the first consultation meeting will be held. Of the need of a harbor for the winter season there can be no question. Two steamers have lately had to pass without landing even passengers' or mails, and a small vessel had the other week to run to sea on account of a change of wind, and was not seen again for fully a week, when she again showed up to have the small remaining portion of her cargo taken out. There is no wonder that New Plymouth people are patient, and not easily worked up to boiling pitch, there is so much compulsory waiting in so many ways. Persons desiring to leave ,by steamer have to be out of bed at all sorts of unearthly hours if the steamer happens to be coming from the North, for fear of losing their passage. The steamer might arrive at. daylight and be away again within an hour, or she might not make the roadstead till nine or ten o'clock, or, in the season, being bar-bound at Manukau, might- be a day or more behind time. There is no direct telegraph line to pass the time of sailing along. All our telegraphic information is a day behind time, even from near places. Daylight is the safest time for intending passengers to be ready for starting. The only place of accommodation at such an hour is the open beach, and both old and young folks may frequently be seen patiently waiting for hours the arrival of a steamer., . The practice, and really the only safe plan, is to take the first boat to the .vessel. If cargo has to be landed, passengers may have the pleasure of waiting another hour or two, or more, in the roadstead before the steamer starts. Storekeepers (only a few have risen to the dignity of merchants) have to wait patiently during, the landing of cargo. A part of a consignment may happen to come off in an early boat, whilst the remainder may not be brought off for several hours. The expectant importer has to patiently wait and shepherd his goods till he can make up a load, and then again wait until a dray can be secured to take them away. Then, in regard to the mails there is waiting. The cargo boat goes off, loads cargo, takes in mail and passengers, which occupies an hour or more, according to the weather, before reaching the shore. Then the mail is carried along in a dray to the postoffice and sorted. For the small staff employed the sorting is expeditiously done. But on the arrival of a heavy mail there is much waiting. In connection with the overland coach mail from Wanganui there is much waiting. The coach might happen to arrive between five and six o’clock, or at any hour between that and midnight. From about seven to nine at night tradesmen may be seen patiently waiting for the arrival of the coach or the sorting of the mail. Never a growl. The non-arrival of the coach or the passing of a steamer does not seem to flurry people much, they are so used to waiting. In wet weather the wonder is that the coach shows up at all, as the road in places is simply frightful for want of metalling. There are clay hills in plenty, along which sleighs would run with ease, and how horses manage to keep their feet with a loaded coach behind them is simply wonderful. The new blood occasionally introduced here chafes under so much waiting, but after a few years of continuous disappointments people get thoroughly patient, lose all go-aheadism, and wait quite serenely, A member of the A.C. Force just now being tried for forgery has had to wait over seven months for his trial, and has during the whole time been securely lodged in gaol and kept in suspense. From one cause or another, the Supreme Court sittings have been adjourned. As only three cases have come on for hearing, after so long waiting. Judge Gillies concludes that we are a model community. In the matter of the Harbor Board a lively interest is taken by a large portion of the inhabitants, and much anxiety is shown in regard to it. Prompt action was taken by the Provincial Government in the doing of their share of the business. It seemed almost as if they had determined to turn over a new leaf. But it was of no' avail. The old waiting system was forced upon them by the General Government, who have not even yet appointed their.'quota of the board of members, although they have been selected ; and as the Governor is on his pleasure trip, and Ministers are variously engaged and scattered, it is hard to guess when the appointments will be formally made. The want of a harbor damns the prospects of the province, and kills every bit of the goaheadism new-comers may happen to have. It is a common practice for bagmen to decry the place for its slowness, and yet they get dulled and subdued even by a very short stay. Happening to miss the steamer or coach, there is no help for it but to wait. There is no getting out of the place by other means ; and they quiet down. . , , The province has waited very patiently tor immigrants although in great need of labor, but there now seems some prospect of netting a regular supply. Cash buyers of land are wanted, but are deterred from coming for want of the readier communication with other parts of the colony which a harbor would secure. The railway is slowly progressing, but is not generally thought to be of much value either till more is made or a harbor commenced. Even the Waitara River, which it was expected would be turned to good account as a port of entry for small steamers, is partly blocked up by the wrecked Paterson, and its usefulness thereby marred. There is plenty of really good land, but very few cash buyers. Deferred payment applicants are abundant ; but the Government do not appear anxious to encourage that class of settlers, and a slightly higher price has been fixed on that portion of the Moa block (6000 acres) which will shortly be offered for sale. The Queen’s Birthday was a soaking wet one. The shooting match was postponed ; pheasant shooters were thoroughly disheartened, and kept close prisoners at home or in tents. A ploughing match came off at Bell block nevertheless —competitors, judges, and onlookers persistently sticking on the ground till the work was finished. Five solid hours had the competitors and judges to tramp about ploughed fields—and they did it.