THE GUM TRADE AT MORRINSVILLE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1910, 2 October 1884, Page 2

THE GUM TRADE AT MORRINSVILLE.

A NUMBint of natives in the Piako district lia\e of late taken very industiioubly to manual labour, and in many places where clearing: or draining: contracts ate being: cairied out they may be found woiking side by side with European workmen, earning good wages, and doing their work in a inniiner affording every satisfaction to those who employ them. We have been assured by gentlemen who have had woik done by n.itlve labour that in many cases Maoris have done their woik better, quicker, more perfectly, and at the same tune cheaper than it would ha\e been done by European labour. This is a matter of much satisfaction, considering the bad luine that the Maoris have been getting of late for their persistent idleness, disposition to di ink, and consequent penury; whereas, with veiy little labour and ordinary economy they might have been in affluent ciicumstance«. But they are now opening up a new line of bu->iiie-33 in the Piako distiict. They have of late struck a good gum-field at a place known as Winnie (•Jrey's settlement, about ten miles from Moninswlle, and are now engaged in iine.ii thing that valuable mateiial in large and paying quantities. Mr Clifford, at Mori km Hie, is a ready purchaser of the gum, and occasionally forwards laige consignments to the Auckland merchants. The opening of the lino to Morrinsville will tend to develope this industry, and encourage the natives to enter into it oa a more extensive scale, and with possibly greater profit. Yesterday morning they brought about four tons of gum to the station, and had it put in a truck to be forwarded to Auckland by this morning's train.