TOLOGA BAY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1248, 16 January 1883, Page 2

TOLOGA BAY.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT). January 12. On Thursday night, 11th January, about 10 o’clock, a very brilliant meteor was observed by the Maoris near Tologa Bay (who in this hot weather sleep out of doors). They were somewhat alarmed at first, fearing it to be the disintegration of the comet, and the precursor to the annihilation of this mundane ball. An observant white man also saw it, and says he never saw anything sobright. It first appeared in the N.W., took a rapid course across the zenith, and exploded S. E. to seaward, making a noise like a cannon. One day last week while a barge load of wool, the property of Mr E. Murphy, was being taken down the Uawa river a severe gust of wind took the little vessel on her side, causing her to careen over and take in water. The men in charge did their utmost by shifting the bales to right her, but she continued to ship water, and ultimately capsized. Thirty bales were thus submerged and sank. The wool which is insured in the 'Union Insurance Company is now being recovered and dried. None will be lost, the only expense being labor. The Waiapu Races came off successfully to-day, but the events have not yet reached us. The course had been cleared at an expense of £4. However, on the morning of the races the Stewards were astonished to find a fence erected across the course, and a knot of unsatisfied Maori landlords quietly contemplating the same. These fellows had not received any of the clearing money, and had to be bought off by a further payment of £2. Irish landlords are not so good at collecting rents. On the 12th inst. the old Chief Karauria returned to Tologa after an absence of two months. He was being doctored by a female

medico at Big River. He returned as he went in his whaleboat, being unable to ride. He looks very shaky, and is about 70 years of age. He had been suffering from dropsy, but a more incurable disease is his old age. The only party to gain by his death would be the Government, who pay him a pension of £4O per annum. The public who pay would all, however, be sorry to see this old aborginal identity pass away to join his spiritualised ancestors.