KIHIKIHI.

Waikato Times, Volume XI, Issue 879, 7 February 1878, Page 4

KIHIKIHI.

F» binary 2nd, 1878., A DETACHMENT of the armed constabulary from Cambridge Ifoad paity, consisting of six men m chHi'ge tf Sergt ant Co< p^r arrived hereon Friday, and occupied quarters m the barracks which was abandoned by the force about twelve months ago. The men are losing no time m putting in ._. repair their bamoks, stables, 'and other out buildings, which are novv m a sad shte of neglect. It is, pleasing and satisfactory »o note the altered state of things under the present wise and just administration. Cross grained politioans m the Government and mere office men, as commissioners.of onr armed force, are new ihings of the past. The promptitude with which has been placed a garrison m Kihikihi — although small — proves, if proof were necessary, that the Defence" Minister is not ' insensible to the ju3t claims of the settlers on the immediate fronter for protection, and that he is fully aware of the importance of defending Kihikihi as a str»»tegetical centre on the confiscated line midway between Alexandra and Cambridge. It is well known that the settlers of this township and neighbouihood have suffered, ranch during the last twelve months by the action of the late Government withdi awing suddenly all semblance of protection from Kihikihi^ and thus throwing the frontier open to the pluuder of idle and disorderly natives, who have flocked thither from Waiuku, Mercer, and parts contiguous. One gentlemen, I am told has bad recently as 'many as 150 shei'p stolen from his paddocks at night by natives. Another indtiHtrious resilient here, who is I lougbing some land near Kihikihi, has had two < ouble sets of harness stolen from him within the past month. Tbe man is almost that he can see, near him, righ across the river, over the way, the native using- and ploughing with the stolen harness. Ho hopes that, if th'e late Government gets into office again, and that, if Mr Bowen, the father of the new Education Act, should become Minister of Justice, he will not be compelled to send his children to school ntftil tbe following, tinder ihe head of " Political Economy," is expunged from the 3tandard National Sohool Book :— * The office of a Government is to afford protect ion, that fs to secure the persons and property of the people front violenoe and fraud."— -Own Correspondent.