CORRESPONDENCE.

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

CORRESPONDENCE.

[O«-r columns are open for free discussion; but we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents.]

TO THE EDITOR. SlB, —I have from time to time noticed in the Poverty Bay papers articles relalive to matters on the East Coast; among others, the eradication of scab. If the opinion of an old settler, long resident among the Ngatiporou, bears any weight, I think it a great drawback to the district that the Government have not done something towards getting rid of the scabby sheep, as the natives have been expecting a Government agent up to purchase them, and are quite willing to take a fair price per head ; but whoever comes to purchase them will have to be very careful; I have had long experience among the natives here, and am sure that whoever comes as Government agent to purchase sheep ought to be some one well known to Ngatiporou as t ey are very suspicious ; and they have an idea that if the sheep are sold the leasing or selling of the land will follow ; it will be useless coupling the land with the sheep. If anything is to be done it should be at once, as the boiling down will take time ; at present the sheep are in good condition, considering they are scabby ; and in February they will begin to fall away as the grass dries up. I think Captain Porter would be the most efficient person to deal with the Ngatiporou to purchase the sheep, as he is well liked and respected by all the tribe. —I am, &c„