EAST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 4048, 3 November 1874, Page 3

EAST COAST.

[from our owx cokrespondent.] Ihahaiua Tu Houkoma's feast, 01 which I partially furnished you with an account ill my last communication, terminated on tho Gtli instant, and was, upon tho whole, a reunion which reflected no small credit upon the venerable chief and his guests. The whole proceedings were characterised by order and decorum, the winding up of the affair being fully as agreeable as the commencement. The korero did not occupy more than two days, and the speechifying was not altogether up to the mark of former gatherings. Much common sense was, however talked, and as good feeling prevailed, lack of iluency, as well as comprehensiveness of topics, were not complained of. Major Kopata, the lion. W. Morgan, and several of the chiefs, spoke well aiul to the point; whilst addresses made by several other individuals were decidedly of a very inferior description, and attracted little attention. The propriety of freeing the district form scabby slicep was discussed at some length, as was also the nosessity of inducing the Government to locate a detachment of the Armed Constabulary at Waiapu for police protection purposes. The land question was brought up, and several local grievances in connection therewith pointed out, tho assemblage, with scarcely any exception, being apparently solicitous that these matters should be settled by the proper tribunal. Other affairs of minor importance received some attention. Te Houkoma was heartily thanked for his hospitality, and tendered his acknowledgments in accordance with native custom. The Europeans who attended tho feast expressed themselves as highly satisfied with the arrangements that had been made for their entertainment, and tho chief seemed highly pleased with the compliment thus paid liiin.

Much dissatisfaction is manifested in tlie district as to the delay that has taken placo in regard to tho construction of the bridle track from Waiapu to llicks's Bay. It was arranged by the district surveyor that the work should de proceeded with oil tho Ist instant, but this arrangement has not been yet carried out, and what is worse, there is 110 probability of the matter being attended to for some timo hence. The natives were promised employment 011 this road, and as the work has not been yet begun they are getting dissatisfied and impatient. The Waiapu ferry is another grievance of greater magnitude than the track, inasmuch as that whenever the river is uncrossable, communication at this part of the Coast is entirely suspended. The ferry was to have been established upwards of three months ago, and a sum of money was placed upon the estimates for the purpose ; so that there is no excuse for the delay beyond what official cirnmlocution can urge. It is likely the Minister of Works will Toe addressed on this subject ere long, as tt is absurd to suppose that the public should be good-natured enough to put up with such inconvenience much longer.

It. is understood that the Government has finally determined to purchase all tlie scabby sheep on the coast, an improvement which will benefit the district in all its interests. It is estimated that the number of infected Bheep between Tologa Bay and the Bay of Plenty iB 14,000, and when these are cleared off there will be a good opening for run-holders who would stock the ground- with clean flecks after the expiration of a certain time. For years past our Resident Magistrate has

done all he could to induce the natives—by ■whom all the scabby sheep are owned—to part with them, and procure healthy stock, and he has at last succeeded in this laudable "work. The diseased sheep are. all to be boiled down, and for this purpose the Government tausfc erect boiling-down establishments—one at Waiapu, one at Waipiro or Tokomaru, and one at Tologa Bay. . Strong westerly winds have prevailed here since the latter end of last month, and several vessels have been consequently detained north and south of the East Cape for many day 3at a time. An American brig, bound for Sydney, lay in the Waiapu bay for nearly three weeks. These high winds have been occasionally accompanied with heavy hail showers, which have done some damage to the crops.

provisions are getting scarce amongst tliQ natives, who, I understand, are about to apply to the Government for supplies of indispensable necessaries of life, which, however, they are not likely to receive, the Executive being indisposed to make grants of this kind, on the ground, it is presumed, that the Maoris have both means and opportunity of providing themselves with adequate sustenance even in the worst of times. Industry, prudence, and forethought could have placed them beyond the reach of want.