CONDITION OF THE NATIVES.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 22, 12 June 1886, Page 3

CONDITION OF THE NATIVES.

STATE OP THE TEREACES STILL QUITE UNCERTAIN. Tho following telegram was received by the Nativo Minister this morning : — Rotorua, This Day. Roturned from Wairoa late last evening. Brought in the bodies of Mr, Hazard, threo children, and nephew, five in all. Inquest , will bo hold this afternoon by Mr. Brabant, R.M., and interment will take placo tomorrow. Had largo party oat to get the road opened through the bush suffioiontly to allow passage of vohicles. Mr. M'lntosli, road overseer, has arrived, and is to-day ongaged improving it so as to onablo wagons to bring in ealvago goods. Party of eight have gone out this morning to assist natives Boarching for bodies. Got out body of old woman yostorday. One old man, named Rawiri, who was not missed during tho excitement, was found emerging from his house, out of which ho had managed to dig his way. Old man named Piko died during Thursday night, owing to shock to systom. Have not yet distributed any food or clothing, as natives hero will ontertain tho Tuhouarangi survivors for day or two, and will lend blankets, &c, during that timo. Deputation from Ngatihakano asked this morning for ono ton flour and threo bags sugar, to add to food • they can provido, to be charged against rents Ngatiwahias. A section of the 'Inhnoarongis havo just como in, and wish to take tho survivors to their settlement at To Whakarewarewa. Think that is bettor plan. Will then ascertain exact wants and relieve them. Do not wish to launoh out extravagantly. There is no danger at present of starvation, but thoy will require relief on considerable scale during the wholo of winter and spring until thoy can start cultivations somewhero, and raise food for thoinsclves. Should be glad if a section of the railway here oonld be put in hand at once to enable them to earn something towards their support, or that tho road from here towards Paeroa oonld be formed. No further news about Terraces, Natives did not get within sovon miles of them, so we cannot place very much reliance on their* roport. Mr. James Stewart, C.E., has just started out with o,party, and intends, if possible, ascertaining the exact state of affairs before their return. They expect to be away two or three days, and are going' by way of Rotokakahiand Parihern. • Mr. M'Causland arrived last evening from Rotoiti sawmill and roporte roofs of blacksmith's shop and small buildings crushed in, but the mill and main buildings havo been saved by scraping off tho deposit. M'Rory reports his raupo accommodation house crushed, but no change in the springs at Tikitere. Mr. Harvoy, of Te Ngae, has just informed mo that the doposit is only about six inchos deep on the 'slopes, and hopes to be ablo to pull through. There is a proposal to take out a boat to try to reach Moura and To Ariki. Thero was European named Brown living at latter placo. A native who - left there Tuesday thinks not slightest chance finding any survivors. All roads eastward of this plaoo in frightful mess, rendering travelling difficult. "Will report further as particulars ascertained.— H. D. Johnson, Government Agent. INJURIES TO THE TELEGRAPH LINE. "We are indebted to Dr. Lemon for the following : — •- Napieb, 11th Juno. Wires are o.k. Bouth of Rotorna. The Tauranga man was started yesterday to repair the Opotiki line, which was interrupted botween Maketu and Whakatano. Following report from Mr. Dansey, Rotorua :— Following just recoived from Praser (lineman stationed at Rotorua) at Tahoke. On arriving at Bookawa found three poles down, embedded in three feet of mnd. Hoard of a break further on, and found six spans of wire down at Matawera, arms and wire smashed. Further on, at Reed's, I fonnd wire brokon and arm -pole, and again heard of a break ahead, so I thought it advisable to go over the lino and ascertain what material I would require for repairs. Found two poles down atTaheke crossing of lako, and all wires in wator. Natives at work digging holes past horo. I bear that thero is a big break, so I will proceed in tho morning. All poles betwoen there and Kotorna will havo to be cleared of rand, as there is over 501bs of mud on the tops and insulators of .every polo, and the wires arc as thick as a candle with mud." • « „ . , Maketu, This Dat. Following from Mr. Benner, Mokotn, dated tort mght:-pevon, stableman, reportod Mr. Carraghan to-day that seven poles woro down at Taheke. Bird, who arrived To Puko, informs me Mr. Fraser, the Kotorua lineman, told him expected to be finishedto-night. Line right 13 miles from hero, Cattlo driver just arrivodhore states line right botwoen Maketu and Natata "