NOTES FROM NORMANDY.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 303, 13 March 1878, Page 2

NOTES FROM NORMANDY.

(FJ’.Ojr A CORRESPONDENT.)

Our. township lias been kept pretty lively for the last few weeks, by the crowds of Maoris who gather to spend the proceeds of the sale of their grass seed. It is amusing to see the various ways the native money goes. Of course nothing can equal the attraction of beer, so mine hosts are kept busy. One lias no idea of the amount ot beer a Maori can consume, till he has seen him try. It’s enough to make, a practiced European blush for his honour as a swiper. There' is one thing however to be said for their drinking habits, that these, together Avitli their' reckless disregard of health, promise one way of settling the “ Native Difficulty.” Gaily coloured shawls arc in great demand by the youth of both sexes. They are in no way wanting in vanity. It is a pity some energetic draper cannot settle here for a few weeks, with a stock of cheap dross-pieces, and ladies’ hats that have survived the fashions of the last ton years. He would make a little fortune. I noticed one old Maori woman, who had certainly given her seventieth birthday party, gingerly carrying a band box which aupeaml to contain some piece of flimsy head gear. No doubt she will reach the seventh heaven, when having got home, she draws out her well-used scrap of looking glass, and smiles on her aged charms, adorned with the new hat reflected therein.

Much regret lias been felt here at the action of the authorities with regard to the line of Mountain head. .It is, I believe, intended to take it in a new direction through the bush, joining the old track sonic fin'.' or six miles from here. Numbers wen; in hopes that the money granted, would have been spent in making the old route passable for the coach, drays,- etc., instead of in paving compensation’, and getting bush felled along the now line.- But like the heathen Chinee, the Government excel in ways that are dark, 'balking of the Mountain track, reminds me that the fallen bush in the new township of Stratford was burned on .Friday, (he Ist of March. I rode up the track on the Sunday following, to have a look at it. The half burnt trunks an 1 branches which cover the ground were still smouldering making the passage along that part of the road very trying to the eyes. No correct idea could be formed then as to the quality of the “ bum,” but it is generallj believed to have been a good one.