CAMBRIDGE NEWS. (FROM OUB LOCAL REPORTER.)

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1351, 26 February 1881, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE NEWS. (FROM OUB LOCAL REPORTER. )

Piwixi, who stands charged with, the ( murderous assault committed on the halfcaste, ia said to be a kind of Maori missionary, and to have evidenced so much zeal and aptitude for the work that he has been encouraged by friends of the Mission to study for the position of a regularlyordained clergyman. f

A btvee tbep has been- suggested,- with* the view of affording strangers now in Cambridge an opportunity, foe viewing the Hcenery'betweeri this atfd Hamilton, or .oren Ngaruawahitu - The idea is, that.the^, , Delta might be made- available • for the purpose some of these fine Sundays. At present, she lies at Hamilton all that day. By starting an hour or so earlier^ she could very easily come on to Cambridge, and by that means be made available for the following day. We have been asked to mention the subject, with' the view "of bringing it under the notice of the steamboat directors.

A case of sharp PEACTiOE on the part of natives, amounting apparently to fraud, ~ occurred within toe last few days, the circumstances of which should operate as * warning to persons in question of native land purchases. Acting on the representation that the natives in question were owners of a particular plot of land they desired to dispose of at a sacrifice, an instalment of the purchase price, amounting to £135, was paid by cheque, to clinch the bargain. Shortly after the payment had been made, , the would-be purchaser discovered that the right of property had been previously disposed of, and no time was lost in stopping payment cf the cheque. The bank and other money-changing establishments were duly admonished of the fact. We have not heard tho upshot of the affair, but"" judge frera the silence that the cheque must have been intercepted by, and restored to its rightful owner.

A haka, ob war-dance, was given the other night by a party of natives, which created a good deal of interest amongst those who were privileged to witness it. It took place in a large tent or marquee situated at the rear of the National Hotel, and used by a hapu of one of the tribes. About forty of the natives (men and women) took part in it, and, premising always that the horrid, bordering on the demoniac, was the distinction aimed at in the performance, then the one in question must have been an unqualified success. The male portion were stripped to the waist, while the female portion were but lightly clad. In that way they clapped their hands and thighs, and whooped and howled, until the perspiration flowed like a stream of water, and the very air became redolent with a steam arising therefrom. The affair was no doubt interesting as a remnant of the more barbarous days of Maorism ; still, we must admit that it takes a good, stout stomach to Btand it out.

In the murderous assault case reported in my last there are no further development*, and hopes are still entertained of the sufferer's recovery. The medical man, however, is not free from doubts. With a continuance of the present hot weather erysipelas is liable to set in, in which case it is not by any means improbable the worse results may be realised. It has been deemed prudent to take the depositions of ths injured man. These weie taken on Thursday afternoon, in the presence of Col. Lyon, J.P., Mr Grace acting as interpreter. Mr John Sheehan, who has been retained as council for the accused, was also present. Prom the statement made it appears a bad feeling has existed between the parties for a considerable time, and had its origin at Otaki, from which place it would appear botli parties hail. Piwiki, for such would appear to be the rendering of the asaailant'a name, and not " Pawiki," aa stated in last issue, was brought up before the court, and formally charged with the offence. On the application of the police he wa> remanded for eight days.