HAWERA.

Patea Mail, 28 October 1881, Page 3

HAWERA.

The Mail has over 90 subscribers between Manutahi and Stratford. BRANCH OFFICE OF THE MAIL, The prevailing topic of conversation here is the native difficulty and what steps the Government intend taking after the fourteen days allotted to Te Whiti to make up his mind have expired. That they intend to take some very active measures is apparent, when they are calling volunteers to the front in such quantities. The volunteers at Manaia and here are divided in opinion whether they should offer their services to tbe Government or not. -A. strongsection think that Waimateand Hawera may be considered part of the front, and therefore it behoves them to protect their own and the out-settlers’ homes in case of any raid being made in this direction ; whilst others think it would only be a gracious act upon the part of these corps to at least offer their services, and let the Government decide whether they would consider it necessai’y to order them to Pnngarehu, others are fired with military enthusiasm and would at once march on to the front, and not let the southern volunteers have all the honor and glory. For my part I agree that the volunteers can do no harm by offering their services, and as I said before, let the Government decide whether they consider it safe to leave these towns unprotected or not. In your issue of the 24th you state that the Premier recently stated that it was proposed to carry the line of railway from Manutahi to Normanby, &c. I may state that I am in a position to put this in a different light, as I was assured that whichever route is decided upon it will be continuous from Hawera, and that the Government would never think of running short branch lines if there was a possibility of avoiding it. Mr Holmes, the District Engineer, with his staff, has removed to Hawera, where he will take up his abode. Mr Woolcock, formerly member for the Grey, has decided to contest this electorate, and his address will appear shortly. The election for Mayor of the new Borough is causing speculation somewhat early. The Star has it that three gentlemen are already spoken of. If such is tbe case, we may hope to see some little interest taken in our local affairs.