WAIROA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 914, 4 February 1868, Page 2

WAIROA.

By the Cleopatra, p.s., which arrived from Poverty Bay and Wairoa on Saturday last, we have a few items of news from the Wairoa.

On the evening of Friday the 24th inst., the Rev. W. Konaldson arrived, having ridden overland from Wairarapa via Napier. He conducted service on Sunday the 26th, in the court-house. The attendance was good. Mr. Ronaldson has been stationed in the Wairarapa for many years—ministering to the natives there under the auspices of the Church Missionary Society. He has been removed on the ground that the native population at the Wairoa is much larger than at the Wairarapa ; while, at the same time, his services in connection with the European population -will be valuable. The Bishop, in making this change, has shewn himself a benefactor to both races at the Wairoa — -Mr. Konaldson being well adapted for his new sphere of labor. The only regret in the matter is that there is no one at present to fill Mr. Ronaldson's place at the Wairarapa.

On the 22nd ult., the house of Mr. McKain, situated about a mile from Clyde, on the other side of the river, was wholly destroyed by fire. Every article of furniture and clothing was also consumed, leaving the family utterly destitute. The origin of the fire is unknown. There was no fire on the premises ; and the only reasonable supposition is that a spark from some bush fire had reached the raupo roof, and set it in a blaze.

The Turanga races came off on Wednesday the 22nd. The Wairoa people are in high spirits at two of their second-rate horses — Rangatira and Hikuputa — havin^ carried off two of the largest prizes.

On Tuesday the 28th, the steamer Cleopatra arrived. Among her passengers was one gentleman whose suppose .l object was to view the run of the late firm of Stopford and Gethin ; and another who had come up to take his sheep from the run of a second firm that has lately come to grief. The high rent payable to the natives, combined with other causes, has induced the last catastrophe.

Among the expected passengers was Capt. Withers, who, as paymaster of the Colonial forces, was anxiously looked for to pay the military settlers their ration money for January. These men are greatly in need of it, and curses not loud but deep greeted the announcement that no paymaster was on board. The men also complain bitterly of their pay for last August never having been received. It has been paid by the Government, but, somehow or other, it has never got so fur as the men it was intended for. Query, who has got it, and are the men to suffer for the irregularities of others ?

The natives have no money, and there is very little in the bands of any one else. Trade is consequently very dull. The only sign of life in the township is caused by the arrival and departure of the Cleopatra. On Wednesday the 29th, a "souther" set in and a good deal of rain followed, which continued in showers till Thursday afternoon. It had very little effect, however, so fearfully parched is the soil.

On the evening of Thursday the 30th, the Rev. G. Morice and Mr. Weber, Provincial Engineer, arrived overland from Napier. Mr. Morice announced services for the Sunday following, and Mr. Weber went up the river to Scarnperdown creek, which is understood to be, as near as may be, the boundary of the province. The unfortunate military settlers are some two or three chains to the north of this boundary, and are thus left to the tender mercies of the Auckland province for anything they may want in the shape of assistance.

A meeting was held on Friday the 31st, in the court-house, to consider the desirability of erecting a place of Divine worship, and to appoint a committee to erect such building — Mr. Powdrellin the chair. The first resolution, moved by the Rev. W. Ronaldson, and seconded by S. Deighton Esq., R.M., was as follows : — "That it is desirable to erect a church in this township ; such church to be open to ministers of all protestantdenominations, when notrequired for the services of the Church of England." Mr. Ronaldson explained at some length his rensons for departing from the suggestion made by the Bishop — that the building should be for a church and school combined — viz., that the church would not be in a proper state for Divine service if used as a school house during the week ; that no revenue would be derived from sittings if pews were not erected, &c. The motion was opposed by Mr. Thomson, who said that his support had been obtained by the Bishop on the ground that the intended building would be for a school-house as well as a church— that a school-house in a central place was much wanted by the inhabitants, and that funda could by no

possibility be raised for the two purposes. The Rev. G. Morice also supported this view. An amendment was subsequently moved by Mr. Thomson, seconded by Mr. Taylor — " That the original plan, as proposed by the Bishop of Waiapu — that a building be erected for the purpose of a church and school — be adhered to." * The amendment was lost, and the original motion then carried without dissent. It was then moved by Mr. Atward, seconded by Mi-. Carter, and agreed to — "That the following gentlemen be appointed as members of committee to select the site, invite and collect subscriptions, and to erect such a building as they may consider desirable : — Rt. Rev. Bishop of Waiapu, Mr. Deighton, R.M. ; Messrs. Carter, J. Powdrell, Atward, J. J. Taylor, and Rev. William Ronaldson, with power to add to their number." Mr. Carter was appointed treasurer, and Mr. Ronaldson secretary. A motion that the proceedings be reported to the Bishop of Waiapu for his approval, and one of thanks to the chairman, were then duly carried ; after which the proceedings terminated.

The Rev. Mr. Ronaldson proceeded on Saturday, per the Cleopatra, for Napier, there to take his passage by the s.s. Wellington for Wellington. He hoped to reach the latter on Monday ; have an afternoon there ; and leave for Wairarapa on Tuesday morning by Cobb's coach. A pretty good example of the expeditious travelling of the present day ! Mr. Ronaldson hopes to be able to wind up his affairs and to leave for his new field of labor about the middle of March.

At tbe close of the church meeting, the subject of an artesian well was discussed. Several ideas were ventilated — among others, that Mr. Gray, the local blacksmith, should take means to obtain the necessary information and should then procure a plant with the view of sinking an experimental well at Clyde. Labor, in that case, would begiven by the inhabitants. It was also hoped that assistance, in the shape of a grant in aid, would be given by the Government. The meeting was ultimately adjourned till Saturday night, when it was expected the attendance would be larger, as a meeting in connection with the district firing had been announced for that evening.