HOKIANGA.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 160, 26 August 1892, Page 6

HOKIANGA.

[from our own correspondent. l Our County is in a somewhat disadvantageous position owing to the large proportion of Native owned land within it, but a little firm legislation would soon put thing s on a. better footing and at the same time stimulate the natives to more industry. What ca,n be done by a little firmness has been well demonstrated by the success of recent action against native owners of dogs. For a long time we had been suffering from an overdose of native mongrels, and the authorities seemingly feared to put the law into practice. But lam glad to be able to report a change for instead of the dogs going hog hunting we now have Constable Hogg going dog hunting. Our worthy police officer is to be commended for the clever and dignified manner in which he has managed the business. He began by sum moning several of our leading natives for keeping unregistered dogs, and his action being warmly supported by our respected Besident Magistrate, Mr Bishop, soon produced a wonderful effect. There is now no difficulty in collecting the tax from. Natives, nor is there likely again to be any. Mr Godden, late of the Kohukohu hotel, has. taken over the wharf hotel at Bawene, and is making several improvements for the convenience of visitors whom he intends to make comfortable. The timber business is very quiet here and there seems very little hope of improvement for there is a large stock of timber on hand but apparently no sale for it. Our settlers are progressing and with good communication between here and the Wairoa and thence to Auckland bid fair to become independent of the timber and gum industries. The Waima people are very pleased with the success which attended their footballers at Aratapu. Although they do not yet claim superiority to Aratapu they consider themselves at least equal to anything north of Auckland,

PRESENTATION TO SIR GEORGE GREY The people of Wellington have been doing honor to Sir George Grey who has now attained his 80th birthday. One of the largest and most influential meetings ever held in Wellington took place thereon Monday evening in the Colombia Skating Bink. The building was crowded in every corner and on his entry Sir George Grey was received with prolonged cheering. The address, presented by Mr T. Dwan and signed by over 3000 persons was as follows ; “To Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Sir, —We desire to tender yon our hearty congratulations upon your having attained your SOtli birthday in the enjoyment of health and unimpaired vigor. As residents of Wellington and colonists of ISTew Zealand, we recognise the fact that while your long life has been devoted to honorable service to the Empire in many lands, your name will be most intimately associated with that of this colony, in which so great a portion of your life has been spent. We fully appreciate the devotion you have shown to the interests and welfare of the colony, and your unwearied efforts to benefit your fellow colonists, to improve their condition socially, economically and politically, and to do all in your power for the elevation of the masses, and the ensurement ot doing the greatest good to the greatest number. On many of the measures you have passed opinions must necessarily he divided ; but we can all unite in admiring the noble motives by which your public life has been actuated, in thanking you for the great services you have rendered your Queen and country, and earnestly praying that you may yet be spared for many years to devote your great abilities to the promotion of the best interests of your fellow men, and continuing to advocate the welfare and prosperity of the colony, which affectionately recognises in you its “ Grand Old Man.” Wishing you many happy returns of the day, we remain your sincere friends.”