WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 243, 30 January 1875, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(from our own correspondent.) January 26. Heaping has commenced, in the district iu earnest, and from what I hear the yield is above the average, although not long ago it-was thought it would be under it. The weather being all that could be desired during the past month, the grain has, to use a well known agricultural phrase, gathered well, and the crop has consequently turned out. better than even the most sanguine portion of the settlers expected. In some places, where the wheat has been partially exposed to the incursions of cattle, and more or less damaged thereby, the yield is, of course, comparatively small. In the Bay of Plenty the cereal is said to surpass, in excellence, that of the past year. Several marriages have lately taken place here, and others are spoken of as likely to come off soou. The last knot was tied by the Resident Magistrate, who is also District Registrar—both the bridegroom and the bride being Castilians on the paternal side. Whilst ou the subject of marriages ■an incident which lately occurred, at Ballarat, Victoria, where a young woman who has become the better half of an industrious miner has set a good, example before others of her sex, who are about to enter upon connubial life, is worth noticing. A few days before the wedding some friends spoke to lhe bride-elect respecting the wedding presents. “Well,” she replied, “ you are very kind; and as you have mentioned the matter, I may state I should prefer something useful to my husband and myself.” Nothing more was said, on either side, but when the happy couple went to their home after the church (for they were too wise to fool away money on their wedding trip,) they found the following few useful articles had been sent them by some real friends : —A 2001 b. bag of flour, keg of potted butter, several yards of flannel and. calico, a complete set of kitchen utensils, quarter chest of tea, bag of sugar, side, of bacon, useful clock, plain but neat set of crockeryware, knives, forks, spoons and glassware, two good, winter dresses (in lhe piece), complete set of bedding, and enough of household groceries to last for at least six months. Added to this, a receipt for a year's rent of lhe cottage was laid, on the parlor table, and so also were two £TO notes, pinned on a piece of paper, on which was written : “ To purchase something useful.” Were not these nice presents? And how much better for young folks starling housekeeping, than a lot of jewellery and trash!

The vacancy caused, in the representation of Auckland City West, by the appointment of Mr. T. B. Gillies io a Judgeship, is, it is understood, to be filled by Sir George Grey, who is to take his seat in the ’House of Assembly as the uncompromising conservator of our constitution, and the stern advocate of provincialism. The ex Governor promises much, aud much is expected of him by those who homologate his views. They predict that his old theories wil] come in contact with Mr. Vogel’s new ones, and that this collision must necessarily result

in the formation of two distinct parties—the Greyites and the Vogelites. The thought is, doubtless father to the wish, but in the present state of political feeling in the colony, there is little prospect of Sir George becoming ’a leader of any strong or well organised Opposition. That he may be supported by a few members, who are interested in provincialism, is certain, but he will never make his mark as a statesman, as Mr. Vogel has done, and it is futile for himself or his friends to anticipate any success in this direction. Prolonged adherence to Sir George’s retrogressive policy, or one akin to it, had already well nigh ruined New Zealand, aud. seeing that that policy has been happily superseded by one infinitely superior to it, and. the colony so benefitted by it as to have raised it to its present exalted status, it would be the height of folly to return to the old regime in any shape or form. One form of Government suffices in all the other colonies of Australasia, and why in the name of common sense should it not suffice here. The proposal to abolish the Northern Provinces having been all but unusually approved of, Sir George Grey and his little parly will not be able to throw any material obstacles in lhe way of accomplishing the object.