WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1075, 15 May 1879, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

This district has, for some days past, been almost deserted by our natives. Old and young have found their way,' and by every possible means of conveyance, tip to Kopua. Whether their presence at tnat. place, yill have any effect, further tnau assisting to deminish the large collection of food, is, I believe, a matter ot perfeot indifference to the majority o£ them, usua] resutt of <&»<* meet^

ngs is, to render the natives Very short of food for a time, and this will, doubtloss, be the oase with the Whatawhata tribes, unless, and which is probable, that a number of them are put to work at Palmer's new road, between our town- . ship and Hamilton. This work is to be taken m hand, and, let us hope, at. onoe. The different road works m the neifchbour--1 hood of Whatawhata are being steadily pushed on. The Newcastle Highway Board seem determined that the district shall, at last, be opened up, especially as the necessary funds have been provided by the Government. Before the spring, | good roads will be provided throughout j the Whatawhata and' Tuhikaramea districts, and with the additional f anilities for getting about, surely we may hope to see settlers coming upon the waste lands, both Government and' private, which, though of good quality, have been lying idle for years past, while poorer lands m more accessible districts have been fetching a high price. Some time ago, our constable did good service, m causing the numerous droves of pigs which infested the township, destroying and rooting up the grass, to te removed, but while the { majority of pig owners, both native and -^European, have taken their pigs to pastures new, one person has been allowed to ru* his pigs at large m the township. This has been the subject of remark for some time past, and, unless the constable' has these pigs removed, he will be m the unpleasant position of having enforced the law upon particular individuals, while allowing others to evade it. I may also remind the ranger that, if it is necessary for settlers having stock on the run to pay pasturage fees, it is also his duty to see that they get the full benefit of their money, by keeping the run clear.— CoBBEBPONDENT. P.S. — A slight error occurred m the printing of my last report. The word "upholding" should be "reporting." Whatever my private opinion may be, it is evident, from the last 801 l returns, that, at Whatawhata, Mr McMinn needs no public upholding from your Correspondent.