ALONG THE COAST.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1103, 22 July 1882, Page 2

ALONG THE COAST.

Fortiter frr.nclo cincitur malum quod »an evitari

It has turned out just as I thought it would, the dose has been too much for the “ Gentle William,” taking this in its indilutod state, it has deranged his digestive organs, and put him in a very bad way, so ho is going in for an antidote, in the shape of a petition to the Government to remove the oonoxtious prohibition ; of course in his gush of generosity, he will not allow it is ho himself that is the sufferer, but “ the health and comfort of the unfortunate Maoris, vou know,” who cannot got a glass of grog when they want it. Why it is numsh'ons! Ah w?U i I have idea that, lit, pillion, looking ut- it tho light ffflevkK.l

from it, will scarcely produce the results he expects. The shaft at the Rotokautuku Oil Springs is getting on but slowly just now, owing to a slight difficulty in keeping the bottom free ; at present there is only one shift of men at work and consequently the process of sinking is not carried on very fast, but on the completion of the fixing of the new windinggear (now in course of erection) a second shift will be put on, when no doubt things will go on much quicker. By the bye, it seems very hard that the “ Company ” do not assist their carting contractor to keep the road open from Te Awanui to the Springs ; the track for (it is little better) is really in a fearful mess ; after every dose of rain there is something wants doing before the dray can pass, especially the Wai-o-tautu Creek, the road going right up its bed for about half a mile. lam told that every time anything has to be done to this precious Creek it costs tho carter £l, and as that sometimes happens once or twice in a week, it soon takes the gilt off the gingerbread. In fact, very few men would drive their cattle on the road as it is at present; let alone stand all the expense of keeping it in repair. Taylor has done, and is doing, everything he can do to keep things going, and seems to study the Company’s interest far before his own—at least it looks like it to mo ; and yet, on his asking for a little assistance, it is denied him. Truly, they deserve pushing, energetic servants.

How extremely anxious most of the gentlemen who visit this part of the country seem to be to acquire a knowledge of tho Native language, manners, customs, &c. I have noticed lately that very few of them stay at any of the Hotels, but prefer passing their time at tho different Maori settlements, getting a thorough insight into the Maori character. It is truly praiseworthy how some of them persevere in their endeavors to master the difficulties of Maori pronunciation, and as I hear that one or two of them have gone in for the dictionary portion of tho business, there is no doubt they will fast obtain the knowledge they so much wish for. [“ Kokako.”