THE CHATHAM ISLANDERS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 451, 12 January 1869, Page 3

THE CHATHAM ISLANDERS.

It will be remembered that a few weeks ago 150 Maoris from the Chatham Islands landed in Taranaki. The following particulars are given by the Herald of a recent date :—" The tribe of Maoris from the Chatham Islands were dressed in European clothing, speak English tolerably well, and are not without money, which they spend pretty freely in articles they require. The Collingwood brought about 150 souls -men, women, and children—and from their dress and manner it is gratifying in the extreme to witness the progress they havemade in civilization. They brought with them over 80 tons of luggage ; amongst which we noticed several articles of upholstery and general household furniture ; also four whaleboats, and several drays. During the whole of the week they have been passing in parties through the town for their settlement, which has caused the place to be much busier than usual. There are between 40 and 50 more expected shortly—a few who are left behind to wind up and settle affairs in the Chat'iam Islands, and who, when they come, will bring the agricultural implements belonging to the whole tribe. As they have disposed of their stock and produce to some Dunedin settler for cash, we believe that they are, as a whole, pretty wealthy. Some of this money they have circulated in the town, so we think the settlers have nothing to complain of in this addition to our population. The first section of the natives, who came some ten months since, have their ground in a splendid state of cultivation, and the settlers round about them speak in favourable terms of their neighbours."