ROTORUA.
Oxb sidki) Law.—As an instance of the one-sided way in which the law is worked in this part of the country, I can state a case which ha; just cropped up and will amply illustrate that there is something wrong. The bar till at the Palace Hotel was scooped of its contents. Sworn information was laid against a native, but the police were powerless to arrest owing to it being necessary to have the warrant signed by the R. M., although we have a couple of resident J.P.'s, who were, sufficiently intelligent to know their duties. Had the warrant been against a Fiiropean, no matter what his position, no time need be lost in having him arrested. That such onesided and unfair methods should continue to exist where the detection of crime is as stated is a disgrace to any civilised country. It applies with particular forco to New Zealand, where wo are almost sick of hearing it proclaimed that tliero is but one law for the Maori and Kuropean. The weak point in the matter of arresting a native is an encouragement t» crime, which is rampant enough and will continue so unless the law is altered. It might be mentioned that the li. M. only visits here once a month, so that a native criminal has ample time to escape if he choses, unless caught in the act.
Fishing.—The shores of the lake presented quite a lively scene on Sunday, a number of natives being busy fishing with a small trawl not, just as the churches were dispersing, the people trom which swelled the number until there was quite a crowd. The costume of the fishermen was, in some instances, light and airy, especially when they had to dive to clear the net, which got fastened at times. From thirty to fifty fish are caught at a time, amongst them being some very nice coloured ones, as they mostly consist of Persian carp. Purchase ok a Township.—lt is fully expected that the Government intend to purchase the township. Our member has been writing to several residents to keep their " pecker " up, and that in all probability Mr Mitchelson would visit here after the session, and confer with the natives re purchasing Rotorua township, Whakarewarewa and Waiotapu, thereby putting some money in circulation, which is much required, and also enable speculators or any others, as long as they have money, to come and buy our heritage. If the natives should decide to part with their land, which is very probable, as they are now pretty hard up, it is fully believed that they will clear out from lieia and go to Maketu. If they do so it will take away a good deal of the attraction of the district, as many of the tourists are as much interested in the Maoris and their ways as in viewing the springs, etc. Railway Freights.—Mr J. H. Taylor has succeeded in making arrangements with the Railway Department to land goods at Oxford at such a price as will enable him to deliver them here at less cost than via Tauranga. Mr Taylor will also have backloading for his waggons. He has now commenced to export surplur ore from " Sodom and Gomorrah."
Thk Touhists.— I The tourist traffic continues to keep up satisfactorily lor this time of the year. We are never without a few, and at time* quite a number; there were eighteen visitors at Like House last week. Major-General Slrangc and several Indian officers are now here.
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Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2661, 1 August 1889, Page 2
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587ROTORUA. Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2661, 1 August 1889, Page 2
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