NGABUAWAHIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 990, 16 January 1867, Page 5

NGABUAWAHIA.

(from: a correspondent.) January 11. •Ngakuawahia, the onco anticipated centra, the key lo VVaikato, which onco bora a warlike appearance, where hundreds may be seen actively employed in their usual daily military fatigues, many with that military overbearing and surveillance peouliar to New Zealand alone, thon j"iued in Lho social vi-'issi tudea of civil and military lite, acting for a mutunl ben fit, which couid bo testified by the active daily pursuits of all engaged at that time. This promisir g placo has the aspect of desertion, and the few people remaining look as if all their hopes were biighted. Civil and military turmoil are now at an end, and there is nothing to mar the peace and happiness of this little village, except the anything but pleasing noises exuded by the numerous nativt-s come to discuss tho land compensation question, which seems to be heightened by the rather too free imbibation of ardent spirits.

Would it not be better for tho chiefs of the native tribos to try and induce their people to spend their money in buying food and clothing, instead of that filihy poison sold under the name of beer and spiiits, and which the natives are very fmd of. What lias become of the Licensing Act ? Where are the policemen? Where tho magistrate ? Echo answers where. Aud yet they all live close together. The business of tho Compensation Court goes on but slowly, and many of the natives being altogether averse to receive money compensation, demand their land back, which, it is needless to remark, they will never get. The Court sits daily, and is likely to do so for another two or three weeks longer. The natives are all under canvas, th.iro being between forty and fifty tents, so that Ng.iruawahi-i presents a peculiar aspect, resembling somewhat an English village fair, with the exception that there is no music or shows, so peculiar and dear to steady going .English life.