TOLOGA BAY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 150, 21 March 1874, Page 2

TOLOGA BAY.

[from our own correspondent.] Last week there was a general clear out of the natives here, w'ho went by invitation to Henare Potae’s place to attend a feast, which was given by that gentleman io celebrate the birth of his grand child. Pigeons to the number of 500 were consumed, and rum ad lib distributed to the company assembled, to do honor to the event. Mr. Arthur, with a mob of 700 sheep purchased from Mr. Reeves of this place, started overland to his run (which he has leased from Henare Potae) last Sunday, and it is to be hoped that he will meet with the success he deserves, as opening up new country in a native district is always attended with many difficulties which nothing but great patience and perseverance can overcome. It is reported that the Anaura Block, situated between here and Tokomaru, has also been taken up, and will shortly be stocked with sheep. So you will perceive that the East Coast is gradually opening up, and should the Gold at Hikurangi turn out to be anything there is no doubt but that the whole of the country between this and the East Cape will be soon settled by Europeans, which will be by far the best means of teaching the natives how to respect the law and pakehas generally. Another instance of native rowdyism occurred last evening at the house of one of the settlers here. During his absence from home a party of natives in a state of intoxication went to his house and demanded admittance, and upon being refused by his wife, commenced to blackguard her in a most disgraceful manner, and the ringleader (who, bye-the-bye, holds a Government situation and receives a regular salary for so doing) threatened to go back in the morning and beat her. This is coming it rather too strong, when a settler cannot leave his house for a few hours without knowing what may happen to his family during his absence, or to what lengths the natives might go when they are in a state of intoxication.