OPUNAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 74, 24 December 1880, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

(FROM OTJB OW3J D(XBi2fEBI>Om>EXTT.) Opcwake, Tuesday. Bitter complaints have been made by the witnesses hi the late murder case in the very unjust manner our liberal Government has awarded expenses, the sum of £3 14b per man being so ridiculously low that nearly all, including the native witnesses, refused to sign for it. A~ deputation of the European portion waited on the Minister of Justice, without any good resulting; and I believe another deputation, composed of natives, waited on the Native Minister, which apparently had very good effect — although not receiving in cash more than the Europeans, it is whispered that the trunks and boxes' fall of clothing, which the Hinemoa landed here, were presents.

One of those Maoris could be heard during the voyage to say (in satire) to hi* pakeha friends, " How much for make a 'win.'" Well knowing the amount beforehand, the reply, of course, would bd "£3 145." "Well," the former would continue, " do you see that boy" (pointing to a lad of about eleven summers). " Yes," the pakeha would.freply. "Well, that boy gets as much as yon," and this our native friend would continue repeating* and all the time laughing heartily. The boy referred to was engaged also^as*a witness on the J sad case, and really recollected as much as business men, farmers, &c. Although our courteous Minister of Justice* promised to see his colleagues shout the naaiter, I fear the witnesses would have to find a precedent before squeezing anything more out of them. I heard that Mr. Carrington interviewed Te Whiti on the 17th instant, relative to the pulling up of the. surveyor's pegs. On Mr. Carrington* cautioningj tho natives against so doing, Te Whiti said, " Are you aware the pakehas are killing our pigs and stealing our potatoes?" Mr. Carrington desired him to name the offenders, when Te Whiti advised him to find those out first, before looking for the party who had taken up the* surveyors' marks. "If you conceal matters, so must we." This morning a very serious accident happened to a native woman named Bopurotu, of Otakeho. Whilst returning from Parihaka, and crossing the Waiau bridge, a dog bit the horse she was riding, which threw her with great violence to the ground. Her head Istruck a large stoae, which bore marks of blood and hair. The natives brought the stone into Opunake for Europeans to see. The Constabulary were promptly in attendance, and did all hi their power to allay the sufferings of the poor woman — bandaged her head, which bore a very nasty wound, after which she was removed in a buggy to her home, where she lies in a very pre« carious state. A native named George ;Grey, well known in Hawera, is at present in a dying state at a village called Puketapu. He has been ailing for some time.^The natives say he cannot live much longer. I notice that the members of the A.C. Force here, who have been the means of bringing Tuhiata to justice, have been rewarded by the Government, tbe constables receiving £5 each, and Sergeant McKeown promoted to the rank of firstclass. I should think that Constable Shearman, the man who first suspected Tuhi, should be further rewarded. If only promoted to a higher grade, it. would be the means of encouraging others, possessing the ability, to 'assiduously study the duties appertaining to the office of constable in the constabulary, andj keeping up esprit de corps. I regret, with many others here, having read in the columns of the Wanganui Herald, the severe criticism our telegraphist has received from that quarter. There are supposed always to be two sides to all questions ; but unfortunately the official in question, not enjoying the privilege of other citizens, cannot reply, and consequently must grin and bear it. However, people here enjoy the r own opinion as to the merits or demerits of the case.