WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 232, 19 December 1874, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(from our own correspondent.) December 12. It was stated in a recent issue of the Waka Maori, on the authority of a native correspondent, named Hutana Taru, at Waipiro, who represents himself as a total abstainer, that several Maories had lately died on the East Coast, from the effects of drink, which has not been really the case. It is quite true that three or four natives have been removed by death during the past few months, but to natural causes alone and not to intemperance, the demise of each could only be ascribed —facts which, it is the desire of some of the natives whose attention has been called to the statement in question should be made public. Whilst it must be regretted that many of the natives occasionally exceed the bounds of propriety as regards indulgence in alcholic beverages, yet it is a matter of congratulation that drunkenness, upon the whole, is on the wane as compared to what it was a few years ago. At the recent halcari, at Hick’s Bay, which lasted a fortnight, and at which spirits were fully supplied, none of the Maories seemed to have imbibed to excess—all having preserved their proper equilibrium throughout the affair, and at its termination dispersed in a sober and orderly manner. Amongst the natives who have lately become total abstainers, are, it is said, a few who are inclined to exaggerate the drinking tendencies of their anti-tee-total brethren, and perhaps Hutana Taru is one of these.

Cupid, with his thousand arrows, has just consummated a work at the Hymenial altar, in this neighborhood, which he only begun a few weeks age. On the 24th ultimo, the master of the Native School, at Kawa Kawa, Mr. Reid was made a happy man for life, by being united in the bonds of holy matrimony to a young native lady of sixteen —daughter of Wi Huihui of the same place. The ceremony was performed by the local Native Clergyman—the Rev. Wi Prairairei—and the auspicious event was celebrated with no ordinary interest in the locality. The Ven. Archdeacon Williams made an ecclesiastical tour through the district, during the past fortnight. He officiated at the respective native preaching stations between Poverty Bay and Hick’s Bay, and inspected the schools. Here he preached in English, for the benefit of the European residents, who have not heard a discourse in that language since the rev. gentleman was amongst us in January last. The Archdeacon is, I believe, very desirous that the Waiapu natives should set about erecting a church for themselves, and

exhibit greater concern for religious ordinances than they lately have clone. They are sufficiently numerous to Till a a much larger edifice than the one in which they now worship—the schoolhouse—if only a majority of them atl ended with anything like regularity. The people seem to have been overtaken by a species of supinenness which is detrimental to both their spiritual and temporal prosperity, and a reaction among them is much needed. Mr. James Mackay, junior, has been recently philosophising upon physical degeneracy of “the Maories, but I am not aware that he has touched upon their mental degeneracy. A paper from him on this latter subject would be instructive.

Mr. District Surveyor Winter is, I understand, expected here shortly to make the necessary arrangements for the construction of the bridle track to Hick's Bay, which work was to have been proceeded with on the Ist October, but which has been hitherto delayed, owing, I believe, to that officer not being able, from press of other engagements, to commence operations at the appointed time. Thus, upwards of two months of the best time of the year for road making—the time when the soil, which is chiefly of a clayey description, is easily penetrated by the pick and shovel —has been lost through the want of a little foresight. At present ground is as hard as cement, and unless softened by a heavy pluvial visitation it will remain so for months hence. We hail, however, the speedy prospect of the track being made with much gratification, and when completed, we shall, doubtless, esteem the boon highly, and be fully disposed to forget, for ever, the many fatigues, and narrow escapes from accidents, the ascending and descending of the East Cape hills have been the scenes of.

Thoughts about the next general election are beginning to cross the minds of both the European and Native electors of this part of the East Coast, and the merits of - the probable candidates are being discussed. Mr. Kelly and Captain Morris are supposed to be too much identified with the interests of the northern part of the electorate, to command the confidence of the more soul hern parts of it, including, of course, Poverty Bay; and a desire is being, therefore, manifested that the latter district, with its large, intelligent, and progressive population, should courageously assert its importance, and secure for itself a representative who thoroughly knows its requirements, and who will give due attention to them. This is urged the more especially, as, in all probability, the electorate will be divided into two at the ensuing election —a division which its extent and population loudly calls for. Mr. Henare Potae having been nominated at the late public meeting, at Hick’s Bay, “as a fit and proper person to represent Eastern Maories,” he stands, I think, the best chance of anyone, of being elected. The present member does not appear to give any satisfaction to the natives, and they are, consequently desirous of getting rid of him. Does not this, as well as many other instances in which dissatisfaction with representatives is rampant strongly suggest the propriety of having triennial instead of quinquennial parliaments ? By thus shortening the duration of Parliaments the services af useless members could be dispersed with in nearly half the time they can be under the existing constitutional arrangement.

A party composed of Europeans and Natives, who have just returned from an exploring expedition to the country at the back of the Hikaurangi mountain, speak well of that isolated region, and think it is more adapted for pastoral purposes, than some of the localities that are better known in this quarter. It is probable that this land—which is wholly owned by Maories — will be leased to Europeans shortly. We have had very dry weather since the beginning of last month, and rain is much needed. The crops and the grass are suffering greatly from lack of moisture.