WAITOTARA.

Patea Mail, 7 August 1880, Page 3

WAITOTARA.

[r.ROJI OUR CO U RES PON DENT.J Friday Evening. Since the Ist inst., all the native constables here have been discharged. This is a decided mistake in a community where the native element so largely prevails, and in such close proximity, only the river dividing the native village from the European township. Had onr local constable been conversant with the language, and au fait in the ways and manners of the noble but untutored savage, this would not have mattered much ; but, as it is, at least one native constable should have been retained, at any rate for a time, in order to assist the European constable in maintuing quietness when natives most do congregate. The cost, some throe or four shillings per diem, is very light, and would have been well expended in retaining such a man as Pairama, who has considerable influence among the Maoris, and who possesses sufficient intelligence and knowledge of English to bo very serviceable.

I was misinformed as to the name of our new constable, but still trust he may prove a boon, notwithstanding that bis patronymic is McFVely. It may not be amiss to state that, so far, he appears to have won the confidence and respect of the settlers, and wo believe will prove a trustworthy and efficient officer. it is necessary to call attention to the state of the road along the river bank leading to the police buildings. It is in a most muddy condition, nothing whatever having been done towards forming or gravelling it. The Wairoa Highway Board draws rates for a considerable number of town sections to which this road leads, and something ought to be done towards putting the road in a fit state for use.