Notes from the West.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 503, 6 September 1890, Page 2

Notes from the West.

[raOM CUB OWN cobeemondbst,]

Mabaxtaha, Sept. 2, It is my painful task to record the death -of the daughter of one of the oldest settlers at the Murewai—Mr Donaldson—who breathed b'-rhst on Friday, 29th ult., at her father's residence. Deceased had been in 111 haalth for some time, but a fatal termination, it net altogether unexpected, was not anticipated so soon, as her symptoms appeared to bo showing a tendency towards recovery. She was buried In the graveyard of the new church at Te Arai, the funeral being at. tended by a large number both of Europeans and natives.

The genial sunshine and moisture-absorb-ing breezes, which we have enjoyed for th* last few days, have given our roads the right to assume their normal appellation without blushing for the total wmt of veracity which gave that designation to the abysmal quagv mires it has been our hard lot to be forced to traverse daring the last winter. The whole face of the country has assumed a vernal aspect, which stands out in bright relief to the gloomy countenances of those pessimist* who are carefully saving np their elderly boots, and s’ ill more elderly leggings, in anticipation of the time when " these awful strikes ” shall have reduced us to the last horrors of starvation. The ogreish look upon the countenance of one individual, as he surveyed some plump youngsters in th* school playground, clearly showed the direction in which his thoughts were tending. However, lam happy to say that in regard to corn and potatoes, this is still a land of plenty, and before they are finished an amicable settlement of the difficulty may be looked for. Personally, lam of opinion that theso amicable settlements are a mistake, as they generally mean only a postponement. of the evil day. If the battls between Labor and to be fought in New Zealand, let it be fought cut new to the bitter end, and be done with, once and for ever, if possible. Thousands, no doubt, will suffer, but surely it is better to have the matter settled than live in the constant insecurity which is caused by these strikes. With regard to the Unions being formed in Poverty Bay, it seems to me that they are being organised prematurely, and without sufficient cause, but, being formed, I sincerely hope that their leaders will weigh well and carefully, not only every act, but every speech of theirs, lest some regrettable indiscretion should alienate from them the sympathy due to every wronged individual, or society, by every honest man or woman.