MAROPIU,

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 27, 14 December 1894, Page 5

MAROPIU,

[FROM OUK OWN CORRESPONDENT] The theme is changed. A few weeks ago the chief theme under discussion, the raging topic of conversation in these parts, was in connection with matters athletic. But the topic has changed, and now we are surfeited with discussion and koreros about the Maropiu Brass Band. Be i known that Maropiu has high aspirations, and amongst other things aspires to a! e possession of a real live slap-up-to-date B; ass Bund The matter has been under consideration at intervals for a year or more, bu y rious causes anu impediments have, up to this time, prevented the realization of our hopes ; but all obstacles have at last been removed or overcome, and ere many days have elapsed the echoes will be awakened by hid No ! I mean, by the soft strains of music floating forth on the night air. ‘ Music bath charms to soothe the savage breast.’ so I am told, but ’tis whispered that it may have rather a contradictory effect in the present case ; but we shall see what we shall see. Our local Nabob, to wit, Netana Patuawa Esq- is to suhscribe Ten -pounds as a commencement, and will also ad-vance-the ‘ filthy lucre ’ wherewith to obtain the necessary instruments. Te Bore Taoho will also, it is said dive deep down into the recesses of his pockets, and other identities, it is thought, will contribute their portion of the needful. Tne main portion of the money, however, is to be raised in the usual waj, by gumdigging After Christmas some twenty-five Natives will form a company, and go gumdigging for a fortnight, the whole proceeds to be devoted towards the Band fund. Possibly we pakehas could take a lesson from our Native friends in the way they cooperate and work to accomplish a desired end. „ Negotations have been on the tape for some time past, for the removal of the Maropiu Hotel to our neighbouring settlement Opanaki. Matters have, it is understood, been satisfactorily Arranged, and providing the Licensing Committee to the transfer, the work of removal will almost immediately. There may be g&H|rgity of opinion as to the necessity of.these there is no question but that an House at Opanaki is a vital

necessity. The statement is sometimes made that the • accommodation ’ is only a secondly consideration with hotel proprietors, and I have heard of instances on the Wairoa which support the contention. But no objection on this score could he raised against’he Maropiu hotel since the present licensee has had charge. Both host and hostess have ever made the comfort of travelr lers their first consideration, and travellers and visitors from all parts have united in saying that the accommodation was really good, and far beyond what they expected to find in so countryGed a plaee._ A number of Austrians are this week leaving Maropiu for ever, and-are returning from whence they came. Another large contingent is to follow shortly, and I have it on good authority, that within twelve months two hundred or more will leave our shores. We eannot help feeling a tinge of gladness that they ate leaving us, for it may relieve the pressure in the gum market, and we can net get over the fact that these men are foreign to us in every way, and are yearly taking or sending large sums of money out of the counlry. Justice compels me to say however, that from what I have seen of these men is to their credit. They are industrious, law-abiding, honest, and are certainly better for the district, and better for the country than the bands of Colonial larrikins which from lime to time pass ever the gumfields in these parts. The Austrians however, have not the remotest notion of settling in this colony, and all their efforts are centred in getting as much out of this country as possible, hence our joy -at seeing them going. \ A fire tiroke out last week in the Kauri Timber Cry s property behind Ahikiri. • There were a .ive . gum.ii cgi.-ig in the vicinity at the time and it is presumed that ooe of them wanted to do a little bu nrnar off on his own account, A high wind was blowing and the. fire travelled at a tremendous speed. Ir. had about a mile of fern nod. scrub "<> .i-'ct,over and then into the kauri forest it. we- The wind lulled at night however and a g.tug of natives got the fire well in hand in the course of a couple of days, and towards the end of the week a heavy shower or two damped its ardour considerably, and though not yet totally extinct, no more danger is anticipated. Messrs Broad, manager, and J. Brown, a director of the Kauri Timber Co., paid a flying visit to the hushes in this vicinity last week, and expressed their satisfaction with the working etc.