WAIROA.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 423, 28 October 1876, Page 2

WAIROA.

(from a correspondent.) October 23. At this season of the year, Wairoa appears in very good form ; and, notwithstanding the oft repeated assertion that there is a scarcity of the rex pecuniariim hereabouts, we generally manage to come well to the fore, when any scheme is set afloat for amusement. In that respect we differ somewhat from Napier, where society takes a more lugubrious turn at times and becomes split up into so many cliques, and sets, that anything approaching a unanimity of action is rendered quite incompatible. Such a result must always eventuate wherever there exists the innumerable petty jealousies so often found in what the Yankees term “one horse places.” But Wairoa, altho’ not even aspiring to be ranked among the “ one horse places,” can lay her hand on her cosmopolitan bosom, and exclaim “ I am like none of these.” Hence it is that all and sundry, resident or stranger, in Wairoa, appear to thoroughly enjoy themselves. This was amply testified at the Oddfellows’ Ball the other evening, where a large assemblage took place. Amongst those present I observed many of the good folk of Napier, who brought with them a very efficient brass band for the occasion. The trip in the Mauaia across the Bay was simply delightful. The weather was serene, and the band discoursed sweet music the while. The Result has been jammed in the river for several days, through the closing of the bar. A sitting of the Native Land Court, Judge Rogan presiding, took place at the Mahia recently. The business brought before it consisted of the subdivison of a large number of blocks, and appointing successors to deceased grantees. The apportionment of the Nukutaurua block — the internal surveys of which are nearly complete—occupied the Court for some little while. The certificates of individualization will, no doubt, be issued at the next sitting of the Court. Other claims of a similar nature are in a state of progression. The subdivision of the Mohaka block, initiated during a former visit of the Judge to this district was completed, the necessary order for the issue of the certificate of title having been made. The investigation of title to the Ngaruroro block of about 100,000 acres in Hawke’s Bay, came on for hearing. The survey was not sufficiently advanced to warrant the Court in issuing the order of ownership. Evidence, however, was taken, the title fully ascertained, and a subjective order made. Many claims gazetted for hearing at Mahia were adjourned to Wairoa, the necessity for so doing having been strongly urged by our Native minister here, the Rev. Tamihana Huata, Toha, Rahurahu, and several others. Hamahona Tia Kiwai, a chief of considerable note among this section of the descendants of Kahungunu, came to grief the other day, through his horse stumbling, resulting in fractured ribs to the rider, the bones penetrating inwardly. Our worthy Doctor and Magistrate, Mr Ormond, will, no doubt, bring him round if possible. It is a matter of general remark that the natives of the Wairoa are assuming a tone that augurs well for the future. Through some unexplainable cause, they appear to have east off the lethargy that has for years enveloped them, and are becoming quite an industrious people. Less intemperance, less immorality, and by far more energy is evincing itself in almost all quarters. It has been surmised by the cognoscenti that this marvellous transformation in the native character, owes its origin to the absence of extraneous aid of a pecuniary nature. If this is true by all means leave the natives to

rely on their own resources. A twelve months’ famine would be more beneficial to the Maori race than ten years’ legislation. If they experienced the pangs of hunger for a year they would remember it for a decade, and the sufferings endured would serve to stimulate them to energy. Another great mark of improvment, is the increased attention they are devoting to agriculture. This is generating a spirit of self-reliance amongst them that is gradually and will assuredly assert itself in a direction, that cannot but be beneficial to both races. A more intimate acquaintance with the men in et tunm code of the pakeha is evinced by the anxiety and earnestness which they have exhibited for some time past, in defining the respective shares in blocks that were formerly held in a joint stock manner. In fact, each grantee is becoming imbued with a desire to possess, and to do what he chooses with, that which is by law his own. Such is life. In my next I hope to enter further iuto the developments that are going on arouud, for the present I am cut short by time aud space.