WAIKAIA.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 357, 20 May 1874, Page 5

WAIKAIA.

(From our oion Correspondent. May 12th. Though I have nothing particular to relate, in case you should think I have gone to the Palmer, I drop you a line. The latest and most important here is the collection of signatures to petitions re Maerewhenua River pollution case, and for the abolition of the gold export duty. There •was also a subscription list attached for the defence of Howe and Co. which was in some cases liberally subscribed to, but several who were well able to subscribe were conspicuous by the absence of their names from the subscription list. It is strange, but true (with exceptions, of course), that those who are best able to subscribe are generally the most reluctant to do so ; while those who are poor give their mite freely, and that without cavilling — those who refused to sign the subscription list had no objection to sign the petitions which were for their benefit, and cost them nothing. Every man in this district (Europeans) with one exception (that exception being a representative of the squatting interest, of course) signed the petitions ; the Chinese were not asked to sign, as the collector had no instructions to that effect. We have had several freshets in the riveJ, caused by snowfalls, but none of magnitude, so work has not been much delayed thereby. After a favourable summer with a satisfactory yield of gold, the Anglo-Swiss party are now walling off for the winter, and if the weather continues good, and the river down, they will be ready to commence paddocking in about a fortnight. The G-olden Gate party have sufficient walled off for the winter; they have taken two paddocks off since they reached the deep ground, but all are pushing a-head as fast as they can, and some of them expect to bottom this winter. At the Whitecombe there are only two parties at work, one of four the other five men ; but they appear to be permanent settlers, as one of the parties are building new huts, and the other making extensive improvements. We have had a large influx of Chinese, who are principally located in Timber G-ully, where they are working away earnestly and systematically. Both of the storekeepers here are erecting new buildings. One of them had the misfortune to be burnt out about a fortnight ago. His loss is severe, as in addition to the store he lost all the stores that were in it. How the fire originated is a mystery. The nights are dry and frosty and. the river going down fast and we can expect winter to set in in earnest any day.