WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 242, 27 January 1875, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(from our own correspondent.) January 23. The funeral of Iharaira Te Houkouma, whose death I chronicled in my last communication, was the largest that has taken place in this district for many years past —it being attended by the natives of the respective localities between here and Opotiki. This is not to be wondered at considering the high estimation in which the deceased chief Was deservedly held by all the people on the coast. Much regret at his demise, as well as sympathy with his surviving wife, was expressed at the funeral—many shedding tears. The burial service was read by the Bevs. Wi Prairaie and Mohi Turei —each of whom having previously delivered an extempore address appropriate to the occasion. A tombstone, with a suitable inscription, is, I understand, to be placed at Iharaira’s grave. The detachment of the Armed Constabulary, foryvhom wo have been looking past, have arrived here a few days' agiVf They were landed from the Luna at Hick’s Bay—the state of the weather being such as to preclude the possibility of landing them at Awanui. They travelled on foot between Hick’s Bay and Waiapu—a distance of eighteen or twenty miles of the worst description of road on the coast—and being but very scantily supplied with provisions, the end was reached with considerable difficulty. The detachment consists of ten privates and a sergeant —all fine young men —who have already made a favorable impression upon our inhabitants, and who will, I have no doubt, prove an acquisition to the district in more ways than one. The men are at present encamped at Awanui, but it has not been yet finally determined whether they are to be permanently stationed there or at Waiapu—the distance between the two places being five miles, with a dangerous river intervening. Two additional men (troopers) are expected from Poverty Bay; next week, when the strength of the contingent will be thirteen. The erection of a redoubt or block house for them will, I presume, be immediately proceeded with, so that the work may be completed ere the winter sets in. The safety of this part of the East Coast is now regarded as being placed upon a better basis than it has hitherto been, and although we do not anticipate anything to mar or disturb the tranquility wdiich we have so long enjoyed, yet we cannot but congratulate ourselves upon the additional protection that has been thus accorded to us.

It is almost certain that a fortnightly mail will shortly be established between here and the Bay of Plenty —as far as Opotiki, I believe. Correspondenc has lately passed between the PostmasterGeneral and our Resident Magistrate on the subject, and it is understood that the necessary arrangements are all but completed. No other part of the colony needed postal accommodation so much as the extensive district proposed to be thus served—not a few of the inhabitants of which are upwards of a hundred miles from the nearest Post Office, and seldom receive or post correspondence oftener than once a quarter at most. What an unenviable state of isolation from the world these people—especially the European portion of them —must have been in for many years past, and what an extraordinary amount of patience they must have possessed to be capable of enduring such inconvenience so long, situated as they are within a comparatively short distance of Auckland, and sustaining, as some of them do, regular commercial relations with that city. Had they applied earlier for a mail service it would, doubtless, have been placed at their disposal in duo time, although it must be acknowledged that our postal authorities are not so progressive as could be wished. Sir Donald M‘Lean is expected here in a fortnight or three weeks hence, on an official visit.