WAIMATE PLAINS.

Patea Mail, 17 July 1880, Page 2

WAIMATE PLAINS.

fFROM OUR CORRESPONDENT,j Hawcra, Friday. When writing about native affairs, whether from Stoney River or Waimate Plains proper, the above heading seems to be the one generally adopted, although, the Waimate Plains proper are only a very small portion of the land lying between here and Okato, but as it has been generally received as the proper heading, it may as well be continued. Mr Hnrsthonsc, who has been in town the last day or so, states that the roads met, to the extent of cutting the track, some ten days back, and that the constabulary parties are working in view of each other. The natives seem not to tire of putting up fences and sowing on the newly made roads. Report has it that during the present week they have been carrying on the “ same old game.” It is believed that the coming meeting at Paribaka will be a large one. Many Maoris bavo passed through here during the last few days for Paribaka, taking bullocks and drays, also what domestic articles they may have. All this looks like a long stay. They state that they are going up, by To Whiti’s instructions, to help in planting potatoes and kumeras. The surveys are being pushed on vigorously. Besides the parties cutting out the reserves there are four others re-pegging and marking out the old lines, which had become almost illegible during the long interval since March last year.

Mr Parris was over on the Plains on Thursday pointing out fishing reserves along the coast for the Maoris. The full report of the Native Commission is anxiously looked forward to, though the public do not expect that the pruning knife will at all be used as regards the amount of reserves given : rather the other way. Seeing that the