TAUPO.

Wananga, Volume 5, Issue 50, 14 December 1878, Page 624

TAUPO.

The H. B. Herald's own correspondent writes :- I am sorry to have to communicate the death, after a short illness, of one of our most influential old chiefs, by name Reweti te Kume, who was a Good Templar, and, from the commencement of the war was always a staunch friend and ally to the European! Large numbers of Maoris are collecting- from all parts of the district to show their sorrow for the departed chief by holding a " tangi" over the remains, as is the usual custom amongst the aborigines. The Natives in ihis district who lav claim to portions of the country lying between 'here and Cambridge are most anxious to be employed in makin<* a good road, m- order that easy communication may'be had with the Waikato district. They also show-a |p*eat desire to sell to the Crown all their land which is m the vicinity of the proposed road, and for that purpose, they have interviewed a Government officer who is stopping at the Taupo hot springs for the good of his health, but with what result I have as yet been unable to ascertain. If the road between this and Cambridge could be made, « which is the l as t connecting link between the North and South," it would be

the means of inducing larger numbers of capitalists and tourists to take the inland route by coach and rail from Auckland to the Empire City or vice versa and thus inspect the qualities of the country as well as its beatiful scenery. The Natives on the southern shores of the lake are now busy shearing their small flocks of sheep, and are all anxiously enquiring as to the price of wool I may mention that one of the most notorious rebels who made himself very conspicuous during- the late war, has now turned his attention to the peaceful employment of sheep-farming. If the Government encourage the Natives in this kind of industry, there is no doubt it will be the means of eventually solving the Native Gordian knot. A curious instance has been brought under my notice, which may be interests- to members of the Acclimatisation Society, and to those who encourage the introduction of European fisli into New Zealand waters. During the heavy south-west gales numbers of carp have been thrown up on the shores of the Itike, all of which seem to be affected with a disease indigenous to a fish which inhabits this lake and called by the Natives the " kokopu." This disease has a fungus appearance of a white color, and adheres to the scales of the fish, which apparently sickens them, and they are eventually cast ashore during heavy winds. During the past few weeks rain has been oreatly wanted, and I am glad to say that we have at last had some welcome showers.