WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 200, 29 August 1874, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(from our own correspondent.) August 24. We have at last been favored with mild and apparently settled weather, and vegetation of every description is thriving well. Peach trees are budding, and indications of spring are perceptible everywhere. The natives are as busy as bees with their tilling aud sowing operations, which are now in a forward state.

Were the Government Geologist to pay us a visit now, he would find the district a much more prolific field for fossils than it was at his last visit. The winter gales and deluging rains have so revolutionised the coast as to have unearthed and exposed to view many rare and valuable specimens which were previously hidden, and which must prove exceedingly interesting to the Geologist. Some fragments of varigated colored stones of great beauty have been lately picked up in the vicinity of the East Cape, which a lapidary could, doubtless, turn to good account. The statistical genius of the Hon. Mr. Johnson does not appear to be of a very high order, if the ridiculous motion anent Maori births which he succeeded in getting the Council to pass, may be taken as a criterion. Who ever heard of such an absurdly imperfect measure ? To confine vital statistics to births only exhibits defective legislation which must be amended if ever native registration is to be regarded as necessary. The Maories beiug British subjects, under British laws, and represented in the legislature of the country by men of their own race, why should not our existing statistical laws apply to them as well as to Europeans? Were this application once established there would be no need for making special provision forthem ; and even wheWuch a provision is made nothing of a satisfactory character can be accomplished thereby from its comprehensiveness. Why should not a record be kept of native marriages, and deaths, as well as births, and why should not these people be also included in the census returns, are problems which are difficult of solution. Really the Parliamentary Representatives must be easy going persons, when they do not look after these matters. The native marriage system, as it stands at present, is in a very peculiar state, and requirs legislatorial interference. The European system is bound to be too expensive and impracticable for them, and one more suitable to their requirements is needed. Some of the native officers have brought this matter prominently before the Government of late, with a view to action being taken therein.

Iharaira Te Houkamo’s feast is to commence on the 21st proximo, and as the Hon. D. M'Leanand other European gentlemen are to be present thereat, the gathering is expected to be much larger than it would otherwise be.