EAST COAST.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 325, 17 November 1875, Page 2

EAST COAST.

. (FUOMA-JJOBKESPONDENT.) November 13. The store and ol her buildings belonging to Paratene i Vgata at Kawa Kawa, near East Cape, i vere totally destroyed by fire on the night of Monday the Ist or rather earl yon the morning of Tuesday 2nd insb. The contents, consisting of a large quantity of maize and other produce, valued at between £2OO and £3OO were rapidly consumed by the flames. It is next to certain that this has been the work of an incendiary. OnreceivingtheinformationMr. Campbell, the Resident Magistrate, Waiapu, together with the Assessors Mokena Kahereand Wikiwhi Mataura, proceeded to Kawa Kawa for the purpose of instituting an inquiry into the circumstances connected with the fire. After nearly a whole day, however, occupied in taking the evidence of numerous witnesses, and in the examination of a native named Noa, to whom strong suspicions attached, owing to his having been seen wandering about a short time previous to the breaking out of the fire, also to his having been heard to give expression to feelings inimical to the owner of the store, nothing was elicited which could bring the crime directly home to him or justify the Magistrate in committing him for trial. The loss is a serious one, as neither the store house nor its contents were insured.

The Waiapu river has this week claimed another victim. A native named Piripi, belonging to Kaitaha in endeavoring to cross that stream, was swept sway. His body was found at Ka Kariki, about two milesfurther down. The weather lately has been very unsettled, and it is anticipated that the root crops may suffer in consequence. It was expected on the return of the Hon. Mokena Kobere from Wellington, that some light would be thrown on the purposes of the Government with regard to the treatment of the scabby sheep, but like many other matters seriously affecting the welfare of the East Coast, it still remains •shrouded in impenetrable mystery. Our roads and ferries are still in statu quo, notwithstanding that the public have been so long led to believe that everything in that line was completed, and that travelling along this coast was simply a charming little bit of recreation. We must only continue patiently to hope.