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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 34, 4 November 1863, Page 3

To the Editor qf the Hawke's Bay Herald. Mr. Editoe, — Some time ago you noticed in your paper a report that the Maories intended to ask an exorbitant, charge for shearing this year. It dow seems to be a fact that they have formed a combination, strengthened by an edict of the Bunanga, enforcing a penalty against all offenders, to prevent any of their number from shearing for less than the absurd charge of two pounds five shillings per hundred. Last year, when the natives stated their intention of increasing their charge by five shillings per hundred beyond the usual sum, the settlers at first pooh-poohed the idea of giving it to them, but afterwards, whether alarmed at the consequences of refusing, or convinced of the justice of acceding to their demand, one or two yielded, and the rest, for the most part, had to follow suit. The Maories, elated by the success of their last year's performance, are now attempting the same thing on a larger scale, but, unfortunately for themselves, I think they have rather overdone it this time. lijight we not take a hint from our drill experience, and, since the enemy last year succeeded in cutting us off m detail, meet the present atternpfc by a little more combined aotion on our part ? Perhaps several neighbouring stations could each contribute a hand or two, and so form a gang to shear their respective flocks in succession. It is. to be hoped, however, that a sufficient number of white shearers will come forward to do the work, and in this case I think it would, be but fair that the settlers should employ them in preference for the future, and not make use of their services only on an emergency of this kind, and another year discard them, when the Maories, seeing they have made a false move, offer to shear again on reasonable terms as before. And on the other hand, might not the shearers themselves do something to keep 'the game in their own hands, by being a little less exacting, less apt to complain of some apparent neglect or want of accommodation, more especially on the smaller stations where there is of course greater difficulty in entertaining them. I believe that the chief, if not the only, reason why natives have been so much employed of late in preference to white shearers, is that they expect less done for them, give less trouble, and are more contented with the accommodation afforded them. I remain, Sir,, yours, &c, OUT-SETTLEE.