THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.

F—No. 3

of, and multiplied until a large sum were obtained, —cattle purchased, and care and attention bestowed upon them, securing for them a good and extensive run, they being great feeders, —if the Maories were to do this, much good would result therefrom. Think not that the Europeans only would profit thereby; no, its chief benefit would be to the person who entered upon this undertaking. If only a small number of cattle are kept, the returns will of course be small ; if a large number, the returns will be great, though you must, not anticipate any profits during the first year, it may be three or even four years before they yield a return. Another benefit accruing from cattle is that they prepare the way for 6heep. Now sheep are much more profitable than cattle, but the labour attending upon the feeding of sheep is proportionately greater ; this is caused by the labour of preparing the laud (this however only refers to the Northern Districts), by bur.iing off and removing the fern, uibbish, and scrub, and casting in English seed. This is a work of great labour, but in those districts which are naturally adapted for sheep, it is otherwise; such, for instance as those places were native grass abounds, as on the Ahuriri plains. The benefit then, of first grazing cattle on the land is that they destroy the fern and cause the grass to spread, making it advisable to keep cattle first and sheep afterwards. It is not profitable to graze cattle and sheep on the same pasture, because the latter starve off the former by cropping the grass .close to the ground, while the cattle feed only on the tops. The profit on sheep is derived from the wool, which sells readily in England for a good price, to be converted into cloth. There is one disease which is very fatal to sheep, which somewhat resembles the " harehare." The cure lor it is tobacco steeped in water, with which the sheep are washed, thereby preventing the disease from spreading. It occasions the wool to fall off, and the flesh is rendered unfit for food. Now I think that if the Maories would turn their attention to this subject, their wealth and influence would alike increase. Say not, my friends, that wealth and importance will spring from foolishness and indolence. On the contrary, they are the result of intelligence and diligence. If you exert yourselves, the Natives will rank more with the European, aud the European associate more with the Maori. Therefore I say, if the many acres now lying waste were but made available, how much good might be derived therefrom, —now they lie idle, and of what profit are those many acres? My Maori friends, the Europeans would be very happy to see you following after these things.— [Maori Messenger, April, 1857.]

Appendix C. NATIVE COKBBSI-ON-DENCS.

The present number contains an important article on Sheep, from the able pen of a true friend, pointing out to the Maori people the advantage of turning their attention to sheep farming. We think that if the inland tribes are wise, they will at once avail themselves of the suggestions and advice given; and we may next hear that their dogs are destroyed, that each tribe has its flock of sheep, and that the now barren and fern covered hills and plains are becoming rapidly clothed with European grasses. This would, indeed, be turning to good account the land now lying useless in the hands of the Maories. — [Maori Messenger, May, 1857.]

Men of Eotorua, men of Taupo, men ot the inland country, listen to me! Let the Thames and Waikato do as they please, for they live by the side of the Pakeha, and read the Karere Maoii; and as they see prices go up or down, they plant or loave off planting; and sell or leave off selling. When the town is ngawari all the canoes come paddling and sailing in. When the town is pakeke, Mechanics' Bay is deserted. But you up-country men, trade with England. England is the country, where wool always bears a good price; and the more wool you send, the more England will buy, because in that cold climate twenty millions of people are always crying out for warm coats and trousers. How are we to get sheep? That is a fair question. Catch all your pigs. Let this be the last act of your dogs. And then sell the pigs and kill the dogs. Buy sheep with the money. A good sheep costs about a pound or twenty-five shillings. Appoint two or three of your best young men to take care of the flock of each tribe, and pay them, as Laban paid Jacob, with a share of the increase. Get a few good trained dogs from the English sheep owners. Buy a few bags of English grass seed to scatter over your old cutivations. The grass will spread, and instead of deck and sorrel, you will have fine pasture everywhere. Now the old cultivations are wasted by being overgrown with rank weeds. Keep two or three places for seed every year; and sow the grass all over the country. Kill your dogs. Sow English grass. Feed sheep, and you will soon have good clothes in plenty.— [Maori Messenger, May, 1857.]

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