KAWA KAWA (EAST CAPE.)

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 326, 20 November 1875, Page 2

KAWA KAWA (EAST CAPE.)

(from a correspondent.) October 16. Early this morning, the repose of the Natives was disturbed by cries of fire; some thinking that Mr. Collier’s house had by some means become ignited; others that it was only a light in a bedroom window. But this idea was quickly dispelled when, on closer inspection, it was discovered that the combined dwellin'* house and grain store of Paratone Ngata was in flames. The first appearance of the fire was at that end of the house directly opposite the chimney, and about half way between the ground and the ridge pole, which two facts concur to prove Hint it must have been the work of human hands, done either by an pnemy, or by a person under the influence of liquor. A large quantity of maize was stored in the building, part of whichis fortunately saved I bough a considerable portion is destroyed, riau the house been built of timber, it is probable that the whole should have been burned ; but. as toe-toe was the material used iu building, though it. easily took the, it made quick work of it, and tue

whole house having been reduced to dust in a very short time, it was comparatively easy to clear away the debris, and water the corn. Besides cooking utensils <fcc., a double-barrelled gun became the prey of the flames, aud I dare say many more valuable articles which we shall hear of by and by. Paratone estimates his loss at about £2OO, which is no small penny to lose in these dull clays. The name of Paratone Ngata is, doubtless, familiar to many of your readers. Those who have visited his house must, heartily sympathise with him ; for both he and his wife have made it their study to provide comfortable accomodation for Europeans travelling to and fro, with whom they are great favorites, and deservedly so. Donations, however small, will be thankfully received. [This communication did not reach us till the 16th instant.—Ed. P.B.S.]