WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 207, 23 September 1874, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(from our own correspondent.) September 19. A locality, a few miles north of East Cape, inhabited by natives, has just been the scene of a fatal accident, from what appears to have been careless use of fire arms; and such mishaps being of rare occurrence in the district, it has naturally' caused some sensation. A M-aori named Hapeta was, it would seem, slightly suffering from a cerebral attack, and noticing a hawk hovering about, he took up a gun, loaded with small shot, to shoot it. Within a few yards of him stood a nephew of his a little boy' about seven years of age, whom he did not apparently observe. The bird having alighted, the man fired at it somewhat- at random —the result being that the contents of the piece lodged in the boy’s throat, killing him almost instantaneously. The deceased is said to have been an interesting little fellow, and his being so suddenly and unexpectedly deprived of life —and that, too, by one sustaining the relationship of an uncle to him—has precipitated his parents into overwhelming grief, and are deeply sympathised with. Hapeta has, I understand, beeu sent to Auckland since the accident took place. His brother (the boy's father) is a local native constable. Mr. Thomas Fox’s inn at Waipiro has been completed a few days ago, and is said to be the best of the kind between Tologa Bay' and Opot-iki. Its accommodation is superior, and as the coast trade is rapidly increasing, it is expected it will be well patronised. Mr. Fox combines the business of a storekeeper with that of innkeeper, and by thus having “ two strings to his bow,” and possessing, as he does, an enterprising spirit, lie is, undoubtedly, in a fair way of securing that measure of success which every one who makes similar investments is solicitous of. His brother, Mr. Frederick Fox, is building a good store and accommodation house at Awanui —the premises low occupied by him being far too small for his business. Mr. Walker, of the same place, finding that his business is also improving, is making large additions to his inn, the Coaster’s Home ; whilst it is thought it is high time for the native who keeps the accommodation house at Waiapu, to set about making his establishment more attractive than it is. People who thus live by the public should endeavour to study the comfort of travellers, as by doing so they earn for themselves a good reputation, which never fails to command corresponding support to themselves ; whereas those who conduct their houses on a contrary' principle are sure to lose patronage. From the unusually large number of vessels that now pass and re-pass here it is quite evident that the East Coast maritime trade has greatly increased of late, and is still increasing. On the 9th inst., no less than nine vessels met promisculously between Hick’s Bay and Awanui — there being a strong breeze of westerly wind ■at the time. One of these—the steamer Southern Cross —took shelter for a few hours in Waiapu bay, where there is a good anchorage. Whilst she lay there one of our European residents boarded her, and obtained copies of the latest Napier and Auckland papers, which were courteously supplied by her master, Capt. Holmes, and for which luxury' best thanks were tendered. These journals put us in possession, for the first time, of the unexpected intelligence of Sir James Fergusson’s resignation, which, I need scarcely' say, took us by surprise, as it seems to have done in other parts of the colony. What induced His Excellency to take such an abrupt step, is, doubtless, the accession Io power, in the Imperial Administration, of the Conservative party —a change which, it is supposed, he regards as eminently’ calculated to secure him a high appointment in the service of the Crown at Hotjie.