MANAIA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5884, 21 April 1886, Page 2

MANAIA.

(FROM OUR OWN COBREBPONDEN7.) April 19. The settle™ and farmers of the Waimate Plains have decided not to allow themselves to be made liable for a special rate in regard to a further loan to complete the New Fly* mouth breakwater, and a memorial for presentation to Parliament has been drawn up. Considering how useful the breakwater has already proved to some of these settlers, and how much more so it would become were it completed,- and wharfage accommodation added, it is difficult to conceive how keen, shrewd business men as many of them are, can be so short-sighted with regard to their true interests. On the one hand they have the present port of Waitara, only suitable for small vessels trading with Auckland, and the harbour at Opunako, whioh is certainly turn cese at present, whatever its future prospects may be ; without an endowment, without plans, and without a single stone laid. On the other hand they have a harbour nearly completed, capable of taking the Sydney trading boats alongside its wharf, and which, by the expenditure of a few thousands, would give them two strings to their bow in disposing of surplus stook. What would Wanganui give to be able to take vessels of the* Hawea and J - Rotorua class alongside its wharf ? Yet these vessels discharge regularly at the New Plymouth breakwater, and it is only a question of a little time and money to have steamers of the Te Anau, Hauroto, and Botomahana , class doing so; The value of the work already done ia bound to make itself felt, and and it ia only a question of time for the matter to right itself. [While inserting our correspondent's opinions on this matter, we by no means bind ourselves to follow the same strain of argument regarding a construction as to which we hold deoided views. — Ed. W.H.] . - Messrs Budge and MoCutchan held a very successful horse fair on Saturday last, at whioh a large number of animals— many of them first-olass~pasied under the hammer at very moderate prices, while many went dirt cheap. Mr T. Dawoon, postmaster, who haa obtained a month's leave of absence, is spending his holiday in the bush, where he haß organized an exploring expedition on the Kapuni stream, inland of Manaia. The party is at present camped at Dawson's Falls, and a large numher of sportsmen from Manaia have taken advantage of the opportunity to doexeoution among the pigeons, which are very numerous, More than one party haa made the ascent of the mountain by Dawson's route. The first party, conmating of the Rev Mr Grant and F< Wilkie, guided by Mr Dawson, made* the ascent on Tuesday 13th, having to out stepa with an axe for a large part of the way ne»r the summit' On Saturday the second party, consisting of Mr A,O. Gibb, and two brothers Stoddart, made the ascent between j 6.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. They, however, had not to cut steps excepting for the last few yards, owing to the snow having almost disappeared between Tuesday and Saturday. The scenery on the Eapuni, above the falls, is described as being exceedingly pioturesque and beautiful. On Friday afternoon Mr G. A. Hurley, with Mr Falkner and two ladies (Miss Chadwiok and Miss Beatson) started for the camp at Dawson's Falls, but being too late in starting got benighted on the track and had to oamp out, Fortunately they had a tent and provisions with them, On Saturday morning, imagining they had gone too far and passed the Falls, they turned baok and went down the Kaupokonui, but did not succeed in getting out till Sunday evening, while a search party from Kapuni had been out searching for them all day on Sunday, and another party was to have started early thia morning from Manaia if they had not turned up.

Mr Butler, Native Lands Purchase Com< missioner, has finished his duties as enumerator for the Maori census. From his summary it appears that there are ijn the Wanganui County 60S males, 507 females, 13 male halfoastes, and 8 female half-c&stea, making a total of 1133 in all. They hold 12,085 sheep, 1438 cattle, and 2178 pigs, and- have in Qul* tivation 306} acres in potatoes, 39J acres in oats, and 304 under maize. In the Waitotara County there are 59 males, and 61 females, making 120 all told, with 649 aheep, 119 cattle, 308 pigs, 33 acres of potatoes, j and 35 of maize. The total Maori population of the two counties is thus 1253.' In 1881, j when there were not quite the same boundaries as ia the present district,, the tota] population was given as ip6B* It is oqly right to add, however, the difference doe? not necessarily show the, doorcase is caused wholly by death, as a number of the natives are now at Parihaka and Taupo. There has unquestionably been a decrease in this district, and a very large one. In point of numbers Hiruharama stands highest, having a population of 134, Taumaranui and Pipiriki coming next with 92 eaob, &oriniti has 59, Ranana 55, Atene 71, Putiki ($3, and Parakino 23. Ja the matter of sheep, Himharanua (2400), Ranana (2000), and Para? , kino (1900) are the highest, as they are also i in cattle and pig«t