OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 1112, 5 August 1871, Page 5 (Supplement)

OPUNAKE.

OPENING OF THE TELEGRAPH OFFICE. THE FIRST MESSAGE SENT. FEARFUL STATE OF THE ROADS. [FRO3I A CORRESPONDENT.] July 10. — Since I last wrote to you we have had a continuance of wet, stormy weather, consequently the roads from this cause and the increased traffic on the coast, have become very soft and muddy, and little can be done to improve them until better weather sets io. The state of the roads or flooded rivers can now no longer cat us off from communication with other parts of the Colony, as the Telegraph O-Bice was opened this morning, and messages with Wellington, Wanganui and Patea, will be exchanged. So we may now regard our district greatly iv advance of yours iv civilization. It is certainly wonderful the advances this part of the country, and indeed the whole Colony has made during the last three years. The native difficulty, that hitherto great stumbling block to all advancement and improvement, seems to be fast disappearing. On this coast the feeling of the natives towards the Europeans is daily becoming more friendly. The establishment of flax companies in this district has greatly tended to improve and wean these natives from the sullen, sulky state the effects of the war had produced. The running of Cobb's coach has also had a most beneficial effect on the natives, as a gentle yet firm way of demonstrating that the Government means to keep the road open ; the coach ipay be regarded by some as an expensive luxury, but taking into consideration the good it has worked in other ways as a political stroke, it is well worth the subsidy. There may be a few valiant individuals, (men by the way who never fought in our New Zealand struggles), who perhaps will deride all this as a flour and sugar policy. Experience, however, has proved that this is the only policy we can afford to pursue. We have tried eight years of war at a serious cost to the country, without being enabled to subdue the natives. Farming and other local improvements had for the most part to be abandoned, while a heavy debt was being contracted, and this Island was producing nothing to meet the necessary expenses. Under the war policy very large sums were indirectly spent on the natives in paying large bodies of men to fight them ; under the present policy less than half those sums are spent in paying natives to make i-oads. The last is a permanent and reproductive work, that will benefit our race long after the. Maoris have ceased to exist as a race, for it must be apparent to all that natural causes are fast wiping them off the face of the earth. Under the present policy we have also these advantages, local improvements are encouraged, the farmer can farm his land, immigrants can be introduced, and we see that districts are fast being opened up and settlements formed, that a few years ago were only peopled by disaffected and sullen Hauhaus. Although the natives are fast decreasing, they are still too numerous to be overlooked or dealt rashly with, while we have so many infant settlements scattered over the country. There is little doubt that a very few years with a little patience and forbearance under tbe present policy, will entirely remove without further sacrifice of life, that hitherto great obstacle to the advancement of this island — the native difficulty. The Teleguapii opened to Opunake. — It will be seen from our Opunake correspondent's letter, that the telegraph was opened at Opunake on 10th June, the lirsr. message bein^ sent at 9 a.m. The wire is now within fifty miles of this town, so it is to be hoped that before m.my months are over we shall be able to communicate with the other parts of the Colony. " Patchwork." — We have had forwarded for our perusal, the second number of this MS journal, the work of the Armed Constabulary stationed at Waiiti. It is a decided improvement on the last ; and will improve, we have no doubt, with each succeeding number. There is a little too much poetry dispersed through its, pages, although most of the pieces are very fairly written ; the legend of Marsland Hill being certainly the best. The cartoon of the present number is a hit at the settlers, who when capitalists came to Taranaki and offered large sums to be allowed to bore for petroleum or work tho iron sand, were obliged to leavs the place through the exorbitant prices asked. A Titus Patriot.— lt is seldom we bear of a pulilic servant objecting to have his salary raised, aud the man is a true patriot who whilst he does his work effectually and well, tries to save the public reveuuo by refusing to receive for his salary more than he thinks the country can well afford. In the Council, on the 12th July, Mr. Elliot mbled n motion to the offset that Sergeant Dunn's salary be raised to its former amount. He, however, withdrew the resolution at the request of that otfioer, as Sorgoant Dunn had told him he was perfectly sai.isfied with what ho was reeoUing. This dirtiuteiv.stedness on the part of an old and faithful public servant, we hope will not bo overlooked on some future occasion by the members. A Ver> Narrow Escape. — It is • a very reprehensible custom for persons to drive wild c-ittle throngli the town during the day ; or even at all. On 24th July, two beasts were driven rlown Devon-street, aud as a child was standing in tho road opposite the Masonic Hotel (just when they were about to pass) it must evidently have been gored had not Mr. Furlong lan forward, caught up the child, and made for Mr. Black's shop. In his haste to set from the boast (which was following him) he fell at the doorway, aud but for a mounted driver beiug close at hand to divert the attention of the animal in iiiiother direction, an accident must have occurred. Mr. Furlong deserves some praise fjr his courageous act. Death op Mtt. John Gillies. — Mr. John Gillies, fdi her of the Superintendent of Auckland, died in Dunedin on the 22ud July, aged 70. Sill Geougk Git! f V, says an Aucklau.l correspondent of tho Ohitj'i Ditily Times, returned from the South in the 'Luna,' and is at Kawan. Sir George is seldom seen in Auckland aud leads a life of retirenipiii, which numy would ifl.nlly t*ve him exchange for a seat iv the Legia.aiure, where his ability and experience would be much felt.