WAITOTARA.

Patea Mail, Volume VI, Issue 518, 11 May 1880, Page 3

WAITOTARA.

(uv OUR TitAVRIjI.IXO rkportkii.) * This township, .situated in one of the most picturesque valleys in Now Zealand, has within the last two years increased appreciably in population and buildings. For many years it comprised orthodox public-house, store, and Blacksmith's shop, which constitute a colonial town. Since the commencement of the railway and the opening of the Momahaki Country, attention has been concentrated on this township, which can now boast of stores, hotels, butcher’s shops, billiard saloon, bootmaker, cabinetmaker, blacksmith, a baker, a post and telegraph offices, and last, though not least, a fine police station and a secure lock-up, under the charge of Constable Hynes, whoso courage and indomitable pluck -have been more than once put to the test. The settlement (ill late years was mainly dependent on native trade ; but this, in consequence of land purchases falling off, has been on the decline, and the business people have now to cultivate the more substantial trade of settlers and labourers located in the vicinity. The Maori pah is situate on the east side of the river, and is inhabited by about 50 adult natives, who mainly employ their time.in fishing, planting, and improving (heir wliares. During my visit to the township, my attention was drawn to a rather ancient-looking Maori, of the Han-han belief, who, 1 was informed, was injured in the war whilst fight'ng against General Cameron. The old warrior’s log was seriously disabled, and in order to effect locomotion, he has improvised a. long, thin bomboo stick, about six feet in length, around which he twists the injured limb, and in this way moves about with apparent ease.

1 I met also the notorious Karcopo, and conversed freely with him. He is a powerful looking man, of commanding stature, and if 1 were to credit all I heard, he. is the terror of the district. But, to do him justice, I should say that if he were left alone, lie would not give much trouble. , The site selected for the railway station might been placed in a more central position for the convenience of the townspeople and surrounding settlers. ;An agitation, with that end in view, was recently got up, and a deputation was sent to Wellington, but was rebuffed with this argument, that it any deviation were made from' the surveyed lino, its construction would involve an extra '.expenditure of several thousand pounds-; and the gentleman who was appointed to bring the matter before the Minister of Works, saw that the Minister was disinclined to conform to the wishes of this district, and returned without effecting the object of his mission. Although Waitotara is likely to be the outlet for the Momabaki trade, and is in every sense of the word more populous Ilian Kai Iwi .and Maxwell town, yet the Government.erect precisely the same size goods-shed as provided for these two last-nann-d stations,which will bo found quite inadequate for the requirements of the Waitotara district. The contractors for the railway hare completed the formation and platelaying as far ns the river, and ballasting is boing.proceeded with at a rapid pace. The bridge is in a; rather backward state, and under the most favorable circumstances, is not likely to bo out of hands for at least three months. Therefore "railway communication with Waitotarn can hardly be established under that perjod.. T Tin; rstation ; is - distant about two niilcs from the .township, and the road during the winter time will be found disagreeably soft. , ’ I was induced to’ asoend the hiil be-

hind Mr-Kell’s store, for the purpose of vicwjng .the .-marked the ‘Mabri ‘ Reaching the summit, it appeared to rt.lw syo. that the order ot buildings had been so arranged by the Maoris andEuropeans as to be in perfect lino, the river merely dividing them. • On this hill were pointed out the remains of an old Maori' fortification, with ‘.innumerable rifle pits adjacent,. These' pits had been ioTpnstruoted as to afford underground communication. The Maori engineers, however, in constructing the fortification, had forgotten -to make provision for water supply, in the event of the fortification being beseiged by the enemy. Their only chance of obtaining, a supply would be under the cover of darkness. v'V ’ "" V''.A The township seems to possess allthe elements of prosperity, and considerable enterprise has been lately displayed by many of the business people, who are an enterprising class. , One qannot help noticing in particular the Railway Hotel, which all travellers hereabouts know is conducted in a most admirable manner by Mr Filers, The bouse is substantial and well furnished; and I can safely say the bedrooms are not to be excelled in any house in Now Zealand: -indeed, for so small a tpwn {?,*( Waitotfira, Mr Filers is to be : conipljr men ted on the management of his house.. The telegraph office, which the settlers induced, the" Govermuontto establish by guaranteeing its working expenses, hiis proved a igrent boon to the district, ainV its receipts have, so saved' the rcrnnlontfiom duty of calling upon the guarantors to make up the deficienpy.' office is tinder the charge of Mr Dawson, well, known for

r V ■, JAhl> I. ' 1 t his urbanity. He is at present exerting himselfin the formation of a libra./,, and ’is’organising 'a'iscriis ■6f ?t cii tor tain- 5 meats for providing funds to purchase books. Mr Tycrmnn has opened a bil-liard-room, which ..appears to be well patronised as a l 'convenient amusement for dull evenings. . Mr Sonthcombo, who for many years conducted the Waitotara Hotel, has been succeeded’by Mr Nicholls, widely known as a popular host whilst, conducting hotels at Charleston and Nelson. Mr Nicholls appears to be doing a good trade, and those who know him will be pleased to hear of his success. Mr Fisher has recently opened a branch of .the. New, Zealand-. Accident Company, and any person about to travel will be afforded an opportunity of insuring his life for the small weekly sum of Is Gd.

At present Waitotara possesses every facility in the way of supply’ng the wants of settlers, and few need now go to Wanganui for supplies. Mr Brower has a fine butchery business in full swing; while Mr Carroll has a well furnished boot-shop. Messrs. Fisher ami Kells have well-stocked stores. Mr Hnrly is making additions to bis bakery business, which is a good sign of success. Mr Jacob is engaged in a thriving business as cabinet maker; and Mr Buckingham supplies the. wants of settlors as a blacksmith. To my mind, Waitotara appears to be as prosperous a little town as any on the coast, and as. it contains many of the laboring elasn who have acquired small freeholds, and who have erected conifortuhlc ho tines. thereon. lam con;fi</ent that its progress will be of a permanent character, even though it may not be rapid.

fl* r. o m ou n con it k soon de n T.j The Free Fight which took place here last Wednesday night, as. briefly reported in the Mail, was a wild and dangerous outbreak of tipsy brutality among those useful but violent fellows who construct railways. The settlers here don’t object to the navvies having a general set-to among themselves, if that is their usual enjoyment when “ in their cups;” but they should get through their fun without annoying peaceable people; and if they must hit out right and left,’ they ought not to strike outsiders, who arc not sharing in the game. This is what some lungeous navvies did last week, and two or Hires persons were knocked about very roughly while trying to restore peace. Our one constable acted with skill and courage, but had no comrade to back him up. He called on several persons in the Queen’s name to assist him, but they declined. It is very desirable that an extra, con, stable should be stationed here while so many navvies come into this place for a night’s spree. W audens for the Waitotara and Wanganui Highway District arc gazetted as follow : No. 1, Mr Donald Smith ; No 2, Mr David Peat; No. 4, Mr Herbert Dymock ; No. 5, Mr George S. Robertson.