KOKIANGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4256, 5 July 1875, Page 3

KOKIANGA.

NOTES FROM MV KIELD-BOOK. One of the most extraordinary coincidences I ever heard of occurred here the other day, relative to a dog. On the first of May last, while the schooner Queen was coming over tho bar, she shipped a sea, washing over a retriever bitch, belonging to Captain .Tones, ami was nearly doing the same to the owner, who waa at the helm. It would have been folly to have attempted to recover the dog, as there was a heavy sea running at the time, so Captaiu Jones gave her up for lost. Tho day before yesterday ("23 rd .Tune) n Maori, while tiahing at a place called the Blowhole, some distance from the South Head, had his attention attracted by the barking of a dog. Upon looking round he perceived m tho distance what appeared to be a dog. Upon closer inspection he fouud he waa not deceived; but fruni the position he was in, he could not reach it without the aid of another persnn and a rope. Both the former and tho latter were found, when they proceeded to the cliff, and upon arriring there, tho native tied the rope round the root of a llax bush and lowered himself down to the bottom. When the dog saw him ahe ran away with fright, barking and grmvliug. The native at lirst (according to his own account) was » little frightened and for a moment did not know which was the best course to pursue, so he mustered up what little Knglish lie knew, and said to the dog, " Gib me s hand," which being interpreted means, "Hive me your hand." The dog immediately complied with his reqnest, and began licking ami .smelling him. The native then put the rope through her collar and round her body, and called out to his friend above to nimca (pull up), which he did, and succeeded in lauding the dog safe on the top of the clilT. He lowered the rope and pulled the native up. They then carried the dog up to Mr. Roe's house, where it is now progressing favourably, under kind treatment, &c. Strange to nay, the day that it was recovered Captain Jones put in his aj>]>ea.rHUce, and when told that his dog was found, he could hardly credit it; but since that both dog and master have recognised each other. Now, what puzzles us all here is, how has the dog lived, and what on ? as on each side of it was a clifl' some 30 or 40 feet high : in front of it the open sea ; 10 or 15 feet below the ledge of rock on which he was foilu<l. There is a stream of fresli water running on to tho ledge, and Maoris say that dogs can live a month ou fresh water alone. That being the case, how lias it lived for the other .'SO days? However, if anyone is anxious to nee this wonderful dog, and will take a quiet stroll dowu tho wharf, I've no doubt they will liud her on board the schooner Queen.

The cutter Magic arrived at Whangape, all safe, the other day, with a <;argo of stores for Mr. Meibomian, who is at present there, superintending the erection of two largo stores for the use of the bushmen, &c. Herd's I'oiut for tho last three weeks has presented quite a lively appearance, all the natives frum the surroun&iut; settlements having assembled there to attend the Native Land Court held by Monro. At last we have a doctor iu the district to attend to the wants of all.

Now that the immigration cottages are finished, people want to know where are the immigrants U> fill them.

]\ e have had a couple of very large freshes in tho river, in some places doing great damage.

The want of a shoemaker is very severely felt hero, anil it is a pity that some man that wants t<i make a good living does not come here, for there really is a very comfurtablo li villi; to bo made l>y any steady workman. There is another good "spec" here for a photographer, as everybody on the river is very anxious to have his photograph taken. If any photographer is willing to try his luck here ami wants any particulars he has only got to address a letter to mo to the Post Otlicc, Ilokiaiiija Heads, and I shall bo most happy to give him all information th.it lies in my power. The )iari{iio Antipodes, with a cargo of squared kauri pine, left here for Melbourne on the 22nd, shipped by Messrs. Andrews and Yarlx»rougli. The \V. C. Wentworth is now loading at the Kohukohu, for Mr. John Webster. The Moiieynick and the s.s. Southern Cross are expected in hourly from Auckland. Theodolite.