WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2519, 1 September 1888, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

Mohtaiity Amongst the Natives,—The death last week uf the young native girl, daughter of one of our chiefs, from typhoid fever, deserves more than passing notice, inasmuch as it is only one of several cases lately, and will, I fear, be followed by others. This disease brought on no doubt by the reckless style of living, and utter absence of all sanitary precaution*, for which Maoris are noted, is peculiarly fatal among them causing young and old men equally fall its victims, and it is when sickness overtakas them, that the ntter helplessness of the Maori is exhibited. Their friends go first to one place (generally a store), for one kind of physic, if that does not immediately cure, they try another, possibly of an opposite kind, that failing, they fall back upon some of their traditional customs, which generally results in a speedy release of the patient by death, and all .the time their strong Pakeha brother, who could help, and in many cases save thein, stands idly by. It is a deep reflection upon the Government and upon ourselves, that these Waipa natives whose land we are occupying and who never, even in the most troublous times, fought against us, should bo allowed to die off at the first onset of sickness, when a little expenditure of medicine and care would save them. If one of our numerous medical men were commissioned by the Government to visit periodically the Native Settlements, providing drugs, and where necessary food, many a young native life would be saved. The times are hard and we feel the necessity for retrenchment, but there are few indeed, who would object to the small cost of providing medical care to sick and dying Maoris. ' The Ohaupo Conference,—The meeting of Road Board delegates, held at Ohaupo recently, to consider the question of dual rating, tvas, to say the least, very disappointing. Though ic was not expected that any complete and perfect scheme of local government reform would be tabled, yot something more than a mere expression of opinion by road board men, that their system was the best was looked for. It is easier to criticise than to perform, and the Ohaupo meeting furnishes another proof of it. In view of the circumstances, it seems a pity that the suggestion of our venerable chairman was not adopted—viz., Jiat a committee, consisting of representaaves of the different local bodies in AVaipa, reappointed to gather further information, 30th as to the feelings of the ratepayers and vhat direction local government reform ihould take. There is no doubt that such a jommittee, if composed of intelligent and niblic-spirited men, would find the quesion of local government reform, once gone nto, a very large one, introducing much lesides mere dual road ratiug. There are . large number of boards, councils and ommittees, each complicated and expenive, which might with great profit be wept away, and one powerful local body ppointed, which could conduct the whole usiness at a tithe of the present coat. It i scandalous and absurd that our paltry (Fairs should require so much official conrolling. Mr Hunter advertises a large number of ;ock for sale at Ohaupo on Tuesday next; [so some sundries. Mr W. H. Kelly advertises that he will induct a parcel and goods delivery at low ites, in and around Hamilton,