KIHIKIHI NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1856, 29 May 1884, Page 2

KIHIKIHI NEWS.

-♦_-. I am sorry the town board has decided not to enforce the dog tax in the case of Maori dogs. It has always been impressed upon the minds of the natives that there is only one law for both races, but the bye-laws of this board do not appear to apply in this respect. Such a proceeding is not calculated to increase their respect for in. Because "it would be calculated to irritate the nativeH " the tax on their useless and mischievous curs is not to be enforced. A poor cockatoo farmer who keeps a dog to assist in driving his cattle and sheep has to pay a license fee of five shillings for it, but the native who keeps a dog for no purpose whatever that I Ccin '•lie, except to worry the sheep of his paUcha neighbour, has to pay nothing Some will hay the dogs are kept for pig hunting, but if ninety-nine per cent of these curs were destroyed, there would still be enough to catch all the pit-s in the country, and sample the wool of the settlers' sheep, which accomplishment seems to come natural to the native dog. Last Saturday, Mr Henderbon lost nine sheep by them, and during the last four years he had fifty pounds worth of sheep worried ; not altogether by native dogs ; some were worried by some of the settlement curs which were dignified by the title of sporting dogs ; but the greater portion were destroyed by the former. .So frequently iias he been annoyed in this respect, that he tays he will be compelled to give np keeping sheep. Yet, in the face of all this— and this is by no means a singular case — the Maoris are allowed to keep as many dogs as they please. Let them keep double the number if they like, but let them keep them at home, and not bring them into the European settlements to the annoyance of the residents. Kihikihi at present is full of these wretched, half-staived, wholly-mischie-vous, and mangy biutes. On Saturday night, when returning from the concert, a pack of chem which were lying on a hotel verandah, rushed out yelping at my horse's heels. I would luve given a good deal at the time for a few pieces of poisoned meat. As regaids their utility as scavengers, that is sheer nonsense. When Maoris come into our settlements they should not be allowed to leave any oSal lying about their camps. If the business people are &o caieful of the feelings of the natives, let them pay the ta>c fur them, or el->e let the law take its course. John Maori looks on this sort of thing not as an evidence of sympathy, but ol weakness, and despises us accordingly. A good many of the natives can better afford to pay the tax than the struggling farmer can. If the tax were collected from them it would be a handsome addition to the funds of the town board. It is to be hoped the members will allow no nonsensical feelings of sympathy to prevent them enforcing the law. — (Own Correspondent.)