TAURANGA: STRIKE OF NATIVE CONTINGENT. October 9.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4722, 12 October 1872, Page 2

TAURANGA : STRIKE OF NATIVE CONTINGENT. October 9.

Rather startling news was received in Taillanga last week to the effect that the Native Contingent at Te Teko, under Captain Preece, had struck for an advance of pay, in truth, mutinied, grounded arms, and refused to serve, unless they received the same pay as the Armed which is 6a. a-day, their own being 4a. aday. The foolish fellows would find out their mistake if they were taken at their word, as their settlements are almost devoid of provisions, and not less than a couple of months must slapse before they can hope to be able to dig up any of next season's crop of potatoes or kumaras. Should they have persisted in their demand, it would most likely have been necessary to supersede them entirely by a European force from the Armed Constabulary, which would certainly have the merit of being reliable. W hile speaking of potato crops, it may be mentioned that that useful vegetable is exceedingly scarce >n Tauranga, and is retailed in the stores at sd. per Ib. This is something frightful, for, according to the best authorities, it takes many pounds of potatoes to yield as much nutriment as a single pound of flour, which is retailed at 3d., or, by the bag, at something like 2d. The crop in this district, both in the European settlement and in the native plantations, is said to be looking well, and new potatoes may be expected some time in November. DESTRUCTION OF A PROVINCIAL G0VERNMEINT BUILDING. Another dwelling, formerly occupied by the pilot and harbourmaster, is going rapidly to destruction by the rutLless hands of some persons unknown. It is believed that the natives from Whareroa, which is not very distant, have lent a hand in the partial demolition of this once very comfortable cottage, erected at considerable expense by the Provincial Government. Its present condition is pitiable. Every window is smashed in, the doors have been removed, the wooden lining torn down and taken away, even planking of the floor stripped, while a double chimney of brick has been demolished, and the bricks stolen. Yet this place, when left vacant after the withdrawal of a pilot from the station, was both habitable and comfortable, and stood upon two acres of ground purchased from the natives, with an opportunity to run cattle, goats, or pigs over the mount (Mau« nganui), which contains patches of very fertile land, and abundance of herbage. It would be difficult to find a more quaint;, retired, and wild though sheltered spot for an invalid seeking sea-bathing quarters and a pure atmosphere. It is a pity that there there was no one on behalf of the Provincial Government to look after this cottage. Aa it did net belong to the General Government, they could not be expected to do so, and, desirable though its preservation might be, being everybody's business, that preservation was nobody's business, and its destruction has been thus permitted.—[Correspondent.]