TOLOGA BAY LETTER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 89, 18 March 1884, Page 2

TOLOGA BAY LETTER.

[froic an occasional correspondent.] Tologa Bay, March 11. The Native Lands Court still drags its weary course along, and during the past week the Block Tokomaru South, or Waihau, has been before the Court, and is likely to be so for some time longer; and if the case for the claimants is in future to be as protracted as it has hitherto been, the fees of the Court will about represent the value of the land. When this case is decided, there are only five original claims and the Crown cases to be adjudicated on, before the work of subdivision commences. Our respected R.M., Mr. Booth, was here last week, on his way to Awanui, where he held a Court on Friday or Saturday. He will open his Court here on Saturday next, when, judging from the length of the cause-list, there is likely to be plenty of work for gentlemen of the long robe. The want of telephonic communication between this place and Gisborne is now more than ever felt, and it is a great pity that the Government would not entertain the application, made last July, for such a boon to the public and the settlers on the Coast, and our present worthy member should use his influence in the next session to obtain the con-

Btraction of such a line. In the forthcoming election the candidates should express themselves strongly on this point. Athletic sports are to be held next Saturday afternoon, under the distinguished patronage of Judge Brookfield, supported by an influential Committee consisting of the elite of the settlers and the Natives at present here. A grand ball was to be held in the Court House on Saturday evening, but, owing to the unfavorable weather (the rain falling in torrents) it has been postponed until Monday, when it is sure to be largely attended by both Native and European beauties of both sexes. This ball will prove an agreeable change to the Pakehas from the eternal evening round of card-playing, yankee-grabbing, and whisky drinking. It has been rumored that we are to have Native horse races and a whale-boat race before the Court closes.