KIHIKIHI NEWS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1923, 1 November 1884, Page 2

KIHIKIHI NEWS.

Mil Lake is using every effort to get the wishes of the settlers in the matter of the Puniu bridge carried into effect. Wahanui, however, from some motive, is doing his best to prevent the work, not openly, but by diplomacy. It has been generally thought he was anything but an obstructionist, and his attitude in the survey disputes, led everyone to believe he would strongly support anything which had » tendency to break down the isolation of the native race. Wahanui is like a certain old gentleman at present in the House, who professes to be a patriot, but who is as sly as a fox, and keeps even his friends in the dark as to his next move. Kewi, on the other hand, is strongly in favour of the bridge being built— whether from motives of policy, or a conviction that it will be of great benefit to his people, is best known to himself— but the fact remains that he is in favour of it, and has been telegraphing to Wellington urging on the Government the necessity of having it done at once. He lays claim to a great portion of the land over the Puniu, and is not blind to the fact that the more accessible the Jand is, the more valuable it will be. Rewi is not the only Maori who appreciates the advantages of European civilisation, for many of the natives send their children to this school. It is to be hoped that with learning they will imbibe a little self-respect, and recognise that loafing around pubs is a degrading occupation. Whether the tendering to ttus ;sort of life is the outcome of contact with the Pakeha, or is inherent in the Maori nature, is a question to be decided by those who are well acquainted with the race, but the attendance at Land Courts has anything but an elevating effect on their 1 character. I think the principal cause is their excessive indulgence in grog. If some of the temperance societies would give a practical.direction to their principles, by sending some men among them and endeavour to induce them to become abstainers, they would do more good than by simply lamenting in their meetings over the demoralisation of the natives. However, we shall soon see the effect the interest taken in Tawbiao by these people will have. If. he and some of the .leading chiefs could be induced to really become total abstainers, there is no ; doubt many others would follow their ex« ample. T-(Owa Cforfespondont.) ,i>'l , ***** '"" ''{ '**''