MANAIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 164, 26 October 1881, Page 2

MANAIA.

(from our own correspondent.)

I expect it is needless to inform you that great satisfaction was expressed in Manai at the news contained in the Star extra re Mr. Bryce having again become Native Minister. There is no doubt that Mr. Bryc© is a very popular man with ibe settlers in this district. They have great confidence in him, aud it certainly appears from the fact of his having re-joined the Ministry, that the Government really mean to try and put a stop to this Maori bounce. If such is the case they may depend upon being backed up by the settlers.

While reading the passage in the extra re Mr. Bryce being sworn in as Native Minister, a thought struck me, viz : as Mr. Hutchison stated in his speech that he could not oppose Mr. Bryce, because he fully concurred in the views of that gentleman on the Native question, How can he possibly oppose one of Mr. Bryce's < olleagues, aud one who will most certainly assist him to carry out his views ? This is a question which I have no doubt, Mr. Hutchison will be called on to answer at his next meeting, should he still persist in opposing the Major.

The volunteers here are improving rapidly ; scarcely a night passes, but what a good number of them turn out for drill. Both corps have also been indulging in line practice, the ranges chosen by the cavalry were 200, 300, 400 yards, the infantry firing at 100, 200, and 300 yards, and the averages made were exceedingly good. On Saturday, Major Stapp held an inspection of both corps. He expressed himself pleased with the manner the men had got on in so short a time, and complimented them on their appearance, &c, he also hoped they would pay great attention to then: drill, and make all progress possible, as there was no telling how soon their services ruightbe required.

The frame of the new Wesleyan schoolhouse is now lip, and the weather-board-ing commenced, so that with anything like fine weather the building should soon be completed.

Mr. McGovern's new shop is finished, aud is decidedly a neat addition to the township. Manaia, Tuesday.