WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 216, 24 October 1874, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(from our own correspondent.) October 17. The Hick’s Bay hakara terminated on the 6th instant —the proceedings from the commencement being happily characterised by order and decorum. The Hon. the Native Minister, Sir Donald M‘Lean, was unable to attend, owing, it is presumed, to unforseen circumstances. The latter days of the feast were principally devoted to the discussion of matters of local interest, including the desirability of disposing of the scabby sheep in the district to the Government, the propriety of obtaining additional police protection, and the amicable settlement of land disputes. The speechifying, upon the whole, is said to have been somewhat inferior to what might have been expected on such an occasion; but the good feeling fiat prevailed made up any defect in this respect. Major Ropata made the best speech, and was repeatedly applauded during its delivery. The Major is evidently well liked in this quarter—he b ung a leading man amongst the Natives, and unquestionably solicitous of promoting their welfare in every possible way.

Matters appertaining to the Hide’s Bay track, and the Waiapu ferry are yet in statu qua, and much dissatisfaction is manifested in the district at the dilatoriness that has hitherto characterised; the carrying out of these two. most necessary works; and not indeed, without cause'. When Mr. Winter was here, about three months ago, it was arranged that the ferry should be established immediately, and the construction of the track proceeded with on the Ist inst. The' Natives were, at the same time, informed that they would be employed in making the thoroughfare; and they regarded this as a promise which would be fulfilled at the specified time. The work not having, however, been -commenced as yet, they now complain that faith has been broken with them, and are, consequently, indignant at being thus treated. It would appear that-Mr. Winter’s successor, Mr. Bold, had been understood to have made a promise to visit this part of the coast, when at Poverty Bay, some three weeks ago, for the purpose of giving instructions concerning the road and ferry ; but that officer not having done so, and having returned to Napier no one knows when he will make his appearance here, or when the grievances in question will be redressed. The want of a ferry is aggravatingly felt, and the delay that has taken place in establishing it is perfectly inexcusable. Here is an insignificant affair that any ordinary person could arrange in less than a week, and yet it takes months to do so when entrusted to officials whose special duty it is to look after such, and whose professional capabilities and business habits are supposed to be equal to the functions they are called upon to discharge. A sum of money was placed upon the estimates for this ferry, months ago, so that there is no excuse for the delay that has taken place iu establishing it. For many days during the past five months, the Waiapu river has been uncrossable, and great inconvenience has been thus caused to those of the local residents who dwell on the north side of the stream —many of whom being repeatedly precluded from procuring indispensable necessaries of life from the stores at Awauui. Some three weeks since our Resident Magistrate was detained four days there owing to there being a fresh in the river; and having had important business to transact at home, it is only reasonable to suppose that this detention was a source of no small annoyance to him —occurring, as it did, within five miles of his dwelling. How long we have to put up with these public inconveniences we know not; but as it is probable that the Hon. the Minister for Works will be shortly addressed on the subject, matters may possibly assume a more satisfactory aspect than they do at present,, ere the summer is over.

We have been visited with strong westerly winds since the middle of last month, and severe! vessels have had to take refuge in our little bay during that period. An American brig, bound, I believe, for Newcastle, was wind-bound here for three weeks, whilst two or three coasters were necessitated to put into Hick’s Bay for shelter and remain there several days. These high winds .have been occasionally accompanied with heavy showers of hail, and the neighboring mountains were once or twice covered with snow during the past fortnight. Notwithstanding this unpropitiousness of the weather, the crops look well, and there is a profusion of grass. Many of the Natives are running short of provisions, but this lack must, of course, be attributed to their own improvidence in not making adequate preparation, at the proper time, for their sustenance, for which they possess both means and opportunity. This state of affairs is an unsatisfactory one, inasmuch as that scantiness of food, in Maori districts, generally leads to peculation and other evils, which industry, prudence, and forethought would have obviated.

The prospect of the final arrangements for the eradication of scab being speedily matured, is regarded as a boon which cannot fail to benefit our district in all its interests. This important subject has considerably engaged the attention of our Resident Magistrate for several years past; and in his intercourse with the Natives he frequently inculcated upon them the propriety of disposing of their infected Sheep, and replacing them with clean ones —a course which they acknowledged to be the best that could be pursued in the anomalons circumstances in which they were placed. Mr. Campbell, moreover, held meetings to take the matter into consideration—the result of which being the adoption of a petition to the Government, praying that proper steps should be taken to extirpate the disease. And one object of that gentleman’s recent visit to Wellington was to make arrangements to that effect in propria persona.