EAST COAST LETTER

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 432, 22 March 1890, Page 3

EAST COAST LETTER

(from our own correspondent.) Long deferred summer has come at last upon us with a vengeance, and though occasional heavy rain-falls keep our tanks full, and roads quagmiry in places, yet on the whole we have not much to complain of in the shape of weather. Not so the roads—that is, as I said before, “in places.” If any of your friends, Mr Editor (never mind lawyers, they are too plentiful), happen to ba coming this way, to Waipiro, via the new road, bid them beware of a veritable slough of despond on the bank of the Mangahawini creek, about four miles from Tokomaru. There was a pitiable scene enacted there lately, when a somewhat obese local celebrity weighing 16st 41b iloundered with his horse into this mud hole, and for many minutes (such minutes!) couldn’t get out again. Fortunately, he bestreok a powerful horse, and, being an o'd stager, sut still in his saddle after the fi>st ihree or four iniffectnal plunges, and gave the unfortunate moke breathing time. Then, with a succession of supreme efforts (if you can make that ont), xider and steed labored unanimously. Terrible concussions took place between tbe saddle and well, ne* ar mind. The neighbouring hills resounded t ierewith, and the circumambient atmosphere grew sultry from various causes. “Py kare,” said the old buster’s Maori companion when he did get out at last, by “ leaps and bounds,” on terra fuma Kuru boibo dat, too much te bewi you kumu oru man.” Moral—avoid the mud hole at Mangahawini. A matter of serious importance has lately transpired at inland Waipiro. It appears that a number of Maoris and haUcastea (principally the latter) from Tokomaru, have been employed grass seeding, and were rationed, as were some hundreds of others similarly employed. Since the conclusion of the work however, and subsequent departure, they fell out among themselves as to division of wages —one lad receiving only a pair of trousers for his share. He threatened to peach if not awarded a proper share, was 1 disregarded, and forthwith informed the authorities that Lis amiable confreres had been having high old time, having stolen, killed, and eaten, no less than two head of cattle and twelve sheep during their comparatively brief sojourn at the back. Of course, as usual, Countable Gerrard (Kake) is on the war path, and flying around—but reticent—justly. So also am I at present, having said no more on the subject than I am positively assured of.