NEWS FROM THE WEST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6362, 8 April 1882, Page 5

NEWS FROM THE WEST COAST.

[FROM ODU OWN COIIKE.SPONIIENT.I THE COMMERCIAL CENTRE. Haweisa having been formed into a !;oroiig!i, new life seems to have been thrown into the place. Buildings are rising in every direction, and business people of all branches are settling in cur midst. Street improvements have been commenced, and ere long we hope to have good roads throughout the town. It was a question for some time as to whether Xormanby would divide favours, or even eclipse Hawera, but that possibility has entirely passed, and Hawera can safely be considered as the established commercial centre for this district. The country around is being thickly populated by thriving settlers, and the land produces so luxuriantly that it is difficult to imagine how adversity could ever come amongst us as a people. No droughts, no floods, no excessive heat, or intense cold, rich soil and luxuriant pastures are our heritages, with a market like Auckland within comparatively easy reach, and the prospect of a continual line of communication by rail in the future, what could we complain of? For the matter of that, to do a quiet growl, no action appears to be taken to explore for a suitable route for the railivny towards Auckland from this southern side, that is, from the Waitara and Mimi, or from what is known as the Stratford Junction. It is to be hoped that the numerous M.Jf.Rs. interested at both ends will not allow this matter to rest. THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY. The native difficulty may be said to be extinct in our quarter, and the work of the Royal Commission will be the roup r/e tjnhv. to years of trouble, loss, and anxiety to the settlers on this coast, and developments of cunning and intrigue on the part of persons interested in the maintenance of the Native Department, with its well-paid sinecures. Where shall these offices go to next, for their calling is done here? Lotus hope they will be restrained from working evil in South Waikato, for, if they are not, years must inevitably pass before we are joined to you by rail. Let the business be taken in band in a business-like manner, and there is no earthly reason why Hawera and Auckland should not be joined by rail out of the next loan. AUCKLANDERS ON THE PLAINS. Need I tell you that we have a. number of Aucklanders and Waikatos who are now our settlers, and appear to be fixtures? Messrs. Laishley (of the Union Hank), Nolan, and Ryan (auctioneers), W. S. Young, Martyn, j Hastie, Muir, Short, and Fantham, with ever bo many more, who seem to be quite satisfied with their prospects. Most of the Utter, I know, look forward to sending you some prime fat cattle for you to pass judgment on ere long. A BOROUGH LOAN. I forgot, to tell you that of course the new borough must needs be in the fashion, and is preparing the way for a loan of £5000 for street improvements, drainage, and water supply. We have also called for designs for our proposed borough chambers, which will be erected at the expense of a years since for this purpose, but which, having become very valuable, the greater p;i.rt has been let at a heavy rental, thus providing ways and means for putting up a goodly structure without taxing the ratepayers iu the slightest. HAWERA RACES. The tlawera races passed on" pretty well. Mr. Walters, with Larry, had it all his own \\.\y. Financially the meeting was a great success, but the fields were not very large. We look for better things next year. SIR W. FOX AND MR. PARRIS. Sir William Fox, the Royal Commissioner, and staff, :>re now on the New Plymouth side, settling the elai ns and reserves there first, and I understand they are making rapid progress. People may say what they please about the cold water knight, but be has a capacity for work, and no one could be found who understands the work better, and who will do it fairer. Sneerers can also abuse Mr. Parris, but with all their insinuations, can anyone point to a single personal advantage by way of a foot of land, or any benefit he has acquired, other than his salary? I trow not, and his personal conduct and bearing throughout the last twenty-four years amongst the Maoris, have been such as no unprejudiced person could call in question. I mention these little things, not from personal friendship, because there exists not such, but because both of those gentlemen are often abused, and I know from the personal experience of almost my lifetime, that in the main they can be truly called good and true men, anil deserve well of their country, instead of the censure they so frequently receive from noisy interested creatures. ECCLESIASTICAL. In church affairs it is a matter of regret and annoyance to our Episcopal friends that, although they have a very nice church, they have not been able as yet to secure the services of a pastor. The Wesleyanshave been more fortunate in this respect, for they have tho Rev. Mr. Jones for their resident min Uter. that gentleman having recently left the Three Kings Training College. I may sny that Mr. Jones's services promise to be acceptable to his people.