OPOTIKI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 3125, 16 February 1871, Page 3

OPOTIKI.

A correspondent of the " Southern Cross" supplies the following account of "Opotiki as it is" — The change which has come over Opotilci in. the last two years is really wonderful. Then tho settlers had at their back a wild country, inhabited by hostile tribes, who, when they did not commit raids, still inspired dread. The only means of communication by land were by rough Maori tracks over a most difficult country, often impassable in winter ; and the mere fact of the fear of continual incursions was sufficient to deter the inhabitants who remained in the place from cultivating beyond the town sections. A great difference exists now. The Urewera and rebel Whakatohea have sui rendered, and the latter have shown the good example of settling down to work like men. Here te Popo, lately the leader of the rebels up the Waioeka, has devoted his energies, and those of his tribe who gave in at the same time, to working the land allotted to him and has produced a splendid crop. Along the coast the Waikatoheas have large cultivations. The European population has received an additional impetus to their energy by the wholesome action of the Government in making roads through the district, and enabling them to go to their farm sec- j tions. The result is that a large acreage is in crop with potatoes, wheat, oats, barley, and maize ; that a look over the flat from a height reveals a scene of in- j dustry ; and that the plain studded with houses, almost hidden by trees clustering round thorn and shading spots so lately bare, startles by its homely aspect the visitor who saw it in the days when no man dared to sleep in Opotiki without his weapon by his side. The surrender of the lately hostile tribes, their evident anxiety to avoid future war, and the construction of roads, have impressed the settlers with a sense of security which even the croakings of a few disappointed men, who would not hesitate to spread false rumors for the sake of temporary advantage in the shape of pay to themselves, cannot dispel. The panic they would raise is not now to be evoked. It is fortunate that the good sense of the majority of the sei tiers enables them to view the present state of affairs in its proper light, and to reject (he stories (invented by interested persons) of hostile forces in the vicinity, ready at a moment to make an onslaught on the settlement. There is eveiy reason to believe that the Bay of Plenty is in perfect safety.