WAIAPU.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 912, 28 January 1868, Page 2

WAIAPU.

[feom oub own cobeespondent.]

An opportunity has once more presented itself of sending, to Napier, via Turanga, from this isolated and much-neglected district. Few, if any, reliable opportunities occur for the safe transmission of letters, to the nearest post-office (Turanga). Some steps should be taken, to secure regular postal communication between this place and Poverty Bay, as it is now more than eight we.eks since we have received a mail, which is by no means an unfrequent occurrence. Now that this fine district will shortly be opened up, regular communication by sea or land is of the first importance.

Since the news arrived here that the Native Eepresentation Act had passed at the late sitting of the General Assembly, there have been several meetings amongst the natives along the coast/ The first was held at Waiapu, when a large concourse of Maoriesf assembled. They seemed greatly pleased when Mr. Campbell, H.M., explained to them the object of the meeting, and also the particulars' as to the, carrying -out of -the election of Eeturning Officers, &c. Four principal places along the coast have been selected as polling-places — Raukokore, in the Bay of Plenty, Waiapu, Tologa Bay, and Turanga j each place . to have two .Returning Officers.' Mr. Campbell has held two similar meetings, one at Anaura, and the other at Eaukokore. At both places, the explanation of the Government scheme appeared to be received by the natives with great satisfaction.

There lias been a good deal of business passed through the [Resident Magistrate's Court lately j several natives have been brought up on charges of stealing from premises, and I am happy to state that four have been sent to vegetate at Mount Eden stockade, under various terms of imprisonment. The fact of the law being carried out to the letter, will have a very good effect; and the natives themselves seem anxious that law and justice should be enforced.

A prospecting party of three men, all fine hard-working felloes, arrived here in the cutter Nautilus from the Thames goldfields, who appeared thoroughly determined to investigate the auriferous deposits which, there can be no doubt, abound here in great quantities, as there is every indication of both alluvial and quartz reef mining in this district. The natives are extremely busy carving posts and the other wooden parts of a large house for Karaitiana, at Napier, which, when finished, will be second to none in the colony. It will be 72 feet long and 30 feet broad. Some of the posts (which are totara) are finished, and look very well, the carving being very massive and studded with pawa shells, which have a very good effect. . A very large sun-fish, was washed up on tho beach a few days ago ; it measured 8 feet long and 6 feet wide, tho thickest part being only 6 inches in diameter. Natives came from a great distance to see it. An immense quantity of fish have been, caught by the natives this season ; go where you will, fish are to be seen drying in the sun.

The potato crop along the coast is turning out very good this year, and food of all kinds will be abundant.