WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 274, 22 May 1875, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(fbom oub own correspondent.) May 15. The Native Contingent at Awnnui have had wretched times of it since the wet weather has set in, and what is worst their misery is not likely to terminate so soon as could we wished. At the commencement of the pluvial visitation their tents —from the ineligibility of the situation in which they had to be pitched —were inundated with water, and had not the Court House been available for them to sleep in at night, the men would have been placed in most trying circumstances. A carpeuterarrived from Gisborne about a fortnight ago, to erect huts for the detachment, but, unfortunately, the timber for the purpose has yet to be brought from Auckland in a sailing craft, aud as the weather has been very changeable lately, and is so still, many weeks may possibly elapse ere it can be landed at its destination. Had the authorities exercised a little foresight in this matter, the men might have been provided with proper quarters months ago, when the weather was propitious, and thus saved the discomforts inseparable from a tent life at this season of the year. The account of the discovery and killing of a nekc, three or four feet in length, at Oruattewehi, and which has recently found its way into the press, is totally discredited by the natives here, who assert, most positively, that such reptiles are not indigenous to New Zealand which, indeed, is the general belief. The probability, therefore, is that this snake yarn rests upon no better evidence than that upon which the alleged discovery of alive moa, in Canterbury, a few months ago, was founded. The oue story seems to be a counterpart of the other; and it is not at all unlikely that we may yet be regaled with still more wonderful fabrications concerning the natural history of the colony. The only theory that could be set up in this matter, is that the snake must have been an importation from Australia and Tasmania, which is extremely improbable. Our acclimatisation Societies are certainly very comprehensive and enterprising in their operations but I do not think they have yet deemed it desirable to introduce snakes into the country.

It is earnestly to be wished that proper arrangements should be made to ensure something like regularity in the running of the steamers between Auckland and Gisborne. Latterly these boa s have been outrageously capricious in their movements, and dissatisfaction prevails everywhere on the coast. Upon these steamers we entirely depend for posial communication with the northern metropolis, and I need scarcely say that the irregularity with which the mails arrive and depart is such as is well calculated toexliaust the patience of a Job. Through this irregularity the English mail, which arrived in Auckland on the 25th ultimo, will not have reached here till the 21st instant, just when we ought to be looking for another mail from home. It is simply absurd than an interval of twenty six days should be allowed to elapse between the arrival of the San Francisco mail at Auckland, and its delivery here, when the distance it has to travel — reckoning sea and land transit —does not exceed 400 miles.

The latest development of the Temperance movement —Good Templar sm — lias made its way here, and may ta e some root amongst us. Ouriudefaiigable mailman, James Waterhouse, having espoused Good Templaristn some time ag >, he is very desirous of making as many native converts to that qrder as he can. When he obtains his “Travelling Degree” he will be able to establish a branch lodge in this district, provided that a sufficient number can be induced to enrol their names as members. I noticed lately that large numbers of the Maoris in the upper part of the Bay of Plenty, and on the West Coast, have become Good Templars, and it is not improbable that many on this coast will do so also. To America we are indebted for Good Templaristn, as well as for a variety of other institutions, having, for their respective objects, the social, moral, and intellectual elevation of the masses.

Captain Porter is now here, in his new capacity, making arrangements for the purchase of the scabby sheep, and it is to be hoped that the East Coast will so n be freed from the reproach it has so long borne, by being a fertile nursery o disease. Major Kopata, who is one of our largest native sheep owners, has already sold his flocks to the'Government at five skillings each, and thus a commencement has been made in the good work of eradicating the infection. I hear that a certain Maori, who is noted for his obstinacy in other matters, and who owns a considerable number of sheep, is determined not to part with his; but it is believed that Captain Porter will be a ble to Hiduee him to abandon the idea of thus constituting himself, an exception to his neighbours. It is strange that anyone should be so infatuated as to tenaciously wish to hold possession of animals which are neither a source of profit to himself nor to anyone else; but such is the case with the individual in question. As the winter is the best season for boil-iug-down operations, I presume Captain Porter will see that no unnecessary time is lost in carrying out this work. There has been an unusual amount of sickness in the district lately, and many are still suffering from some malady or the other. Medicines and Maori doctors are in constant requisition, aud if a gentleman of the medical profession were to visit us now, he would command such practise as, I think, would keep him constantly employed. In my communication which appeared in the Standabd of the 28th ultimo, one or two typographical errors occurred which it is necessary to correct. In the 10th line from the top, in paragraph 2. “ creeks and mills are wholly dried up,” read “ creeks and wells are wholly dried up,’, and in the sth line from the bottom in paragraphs, for, “lead the natives in the paths of freedom,” read “lead the nations in the paths of freedom.”