WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 298, 14 August 1875, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(FBOM OUR OWN COEKESPONDISNT.) August 7. The candidature of Captain Morris and Colonel Harrington are not regarded here as likely to be successful. The celebrated Joseph Hume was wont to say that old military officers, and ministerial toadies never made good legislators ; and New Zealand, from experience, can verify this saying. Hitherto the public representation of the Colony has, unhappily, been considerably marred by the presence of so many of that objectionable class, both in the Legislative Council and in the House of Assembly ; and it is to be hoped that the East Coast electorate will not degrade itself by choosing their future member from the ranks of such people. Eligible men are not surely so scarce as to drive any eonsti latency to the unavoidable alternative of making improper selections. Should the flourishing district of Poverty Bay, be constituted a separate electorate—as it is fully expected it will—and should not a suitable local candidate be available for its representation Mr. Moorhouse, of Wellington, who, it seems,.has signified his willingness to come forward in that; capacity, will be found to be quite equal . to the emergency in every respect; and the electors would do well to take timely and effective steps to secure his return. His abilities and experience are so unquestionable, that he Would be an ornament to any constituency. Whilst he occupied the dual position of Superintendent of Canterbury, and member of the House of Representatives, he proved himself to be a man possessing constructive and administrative* pow'ers of no ordinary description. The reports which seem to have reached Gisborne, as to scab having broken out in some European flocks at the East Cape, is altogether without foundation. Some one has, I believe, fabricated a story to that effect, and as bad news travels quickly, it sooii found its way to where it could not be readily contradicted. It fortunately happens that the European sheep in the district are, at the present time, as free from scab as they possibly could be; and what is more gratifying they are in better condition this winter than they have been known to be at any previous corresponding season of the year. The Lands Purchase Officer —Captain Porter — held a meeting of Natives at Waiomatatini, this week, for the purpose of getting the deeds of the land known as the Oil Springs block, executed. The parties concerned attended and the Commissioner having addressed them as to the object of the meeting, the Licensed Interpreter— Mr. Large—who accompanied him lucidly explained the contents of the deeds, which were then signed in the presence of the Resident Magistrate in accordance with the regulations on the subject. Captain Porter has, with his usual promptitude, attended to other matters of importance prior to his departure from the district.

The petition praying for an increase of salary to our mailman, has just been transmitted to the Post-master-General, and it is thought it will be successful. It bears nearly 140 signatures, comprising those of the most influential inhabitants of the East Coast and Gisborno, including a special recommendation in Maori from Major Ropata and bis tribe. I understand it is the intention of the residents of Awanui to apply to the Post-master-General for permission to despatch and receive their correspondence in the mail bag made up at Gisborne for the detachment of the A.C. at the former place. As this arrangement cannot entail any additional expense to the Post Office department, and would be a great convenience to the residents, the application is, I think, sure to be granted. There are other localities on the coast —such as Tokontaru, Aku Aku, and Tuparoa, for which mail bags ought to be made up; and I fancy the settlers will move in the matter ere long.

Seargeant Shirley having obtained his discharge from the Armed Constabulary, has gone back to Gisborne. As an old and efficient officer who has rendered more service to the country than many who have fared better, he ought to have been promoted, as men of less merit in the same corps have been. Had his position been bettered, be would not probably, have left the service ; but as it has not, he has, done what any man of spirit would have deemed it proper to do.