WAITOTARA.

Patea Mail, 28 September 1880, Page 3

WAITOTARA.

[FRO M OU K CO RRESV ONU E N T.] Monday Evening. Since the Native Land Court concluded its business, and the natives all cleared out, our town has been remarkably quiet. An amusing incident occurred during the progress of the said court. On the Sunday before the regular business commenced, an enterprising soft goods man representing a Waverley firm engaged a Maori cottage just across the bridge. This engagement the owner afterwards repudiated, on the plea of having been drunk at the time it was made. A day or two afterwards, when a dray load of cases came down, there was trouble. The cottage was occupied hy the natives, and in the doorway stood one of our local storekeepers, burly, calm, and mpcrturbablc. barring all ingress, and seeming determined to protect the interests of his dusky friends. The evident annoy* aucc of the enterprising visitors, the immovable expression on the countenance of the door-keeper, and the crowd round the door, formed a tableau worth witnessing. Not to be defrauded of their share of the spoil, however, Mr Eilcrs’ buggy-shed was obtained, and with the aid of calico an enclosure was made in which a considerable trade was done during the time the court continued sitting. A night watchman was employed for one or two- nights to guard the disputed cottage, and nearly got his death of cold through it. During the latter part of last week, the coaches ceased running to Kai Iwi, and the Waverley coach took up the running to Patea instead. As this coach does not leave here till after 6 pin.it cannot arrive at Patea before 9 pm. The through trip in one day to Taranaki is arranged to commence on the Ist October. At present the clown coach arrives from Normanhy about 2 pm, and passengers wait till 6.20 for the train.