CHATHAM ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10832, 16 August 1898, Page 3

CHATHAM ISLANDS.

By the last steamer we had a visit from our newly-appointed stipendiary magistrate, viz., Mr. It. S. Florence, barrister, of Woodville, who intends coining by next steamer, the 4th, to take up his abode with us. Wo have not,had a magistrate here since Major Gascoyne resigned, some twelve months since. At a Native Land Court held here last | January the Otauga block of 37,000 acres, , generally known us the Tobacco Country, was passed through the Court, aud subdivided into 14 awards. Mr. Dunnage, a surveyor from Tauranga, is busy with the survey, and has 25,000 acres completed. The block was chiefly owned by I'aina Te Toke and his nieces. Tho former, the oldest chief on tho island, died last month, and a great tangi was held. The three islands— Mangere, Tapuainuku, and Rangitira— 3000 acres on Pitt Island, also passed through the Court. Judge Butler informed me he expected to hold another Court here next January. We had a snowstorm here on August 2. The oldest inhabitants on the island never remember such a fall here. I am happy now to inform you that the islanders have at last had erected a small jetty at the main port, for the landing of passengers and cargo. A suitable building has also been erected on the end of tho jetty to receive and discharge cargo. Hitherto the islanders laboured under great inconvenience, passengers being landed "pickaback" fashion, now and again receiving a " probation bath," and great relief on landing, when Boniface Odman attended to their toilet, I need hardly say that this jetty and building ' are great boons to the islanders. We have to return , thanks to many friends in Christchurch, and for assistance; given

by the Government; thanks vto our lat4 . S.M., Major -Gascoync, who supcrintondec tlio erection of the wharf, and '.hank: also to the prime mover in the matter, Mr.' William Hoban, of Waitangi West, a new. arrival here, who ; collected (no "bawbees" and most of the material for tho work.—{Own Correspondent, August I.]