The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1874.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1485, 13 November 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1874.

T«T Ihf rouse thht luck. asni»Unc«, >or the wrong Hi at nctun iv-.Utnac*, For thii future In t!ie (tUttance, i.*.l the (rood tbxt wu ci.li de-

It will be a happy thing for the memory of Sir Donald Me Lean if the opening up of Ohinemuri gives eclat to his farewell to Xew Zealand. Whether from official direction, or the independent action of those who have their own axe to grind, difficulties seem to interpose, and every eye seems to look for the coming of Sir Donald. Even the landsharks—whose baleful influence, more than that of all others, has been a disturbing element in the relations of the two racesappear to look only to the coining of th c great " medicine-man" as the day of doom to their peculiar calling, so far as the fertile and auriferous lands of Ohinemuri are concerned. When the Native Minister shall have finished his feasting in Hawke's Boy, we may anticipate that his presence at the Upper Thames will dissipate the clouds that have so long hung over that much-coveted country. A large proportion cf the probably auriferous lands have already had the Native title over them extinguished; and, for the rest, the efforts of Mr. James Mackay, in individualising the claims and proportions of "utu," appear to be rapidly preparing events for the final denouement. Never before did events seemed so ripe, and now Sir Donald McLean's presence alone seems required to realise the talismanic, but most tantalising watchword of our mining community, the " opening of Ohinemuri." Since these words first excited public attention, many a hundred and thousand of our most valuable mining population have drifted away to other lands, sickened and disappointed. But though the actual opening will not restore them, there is every probability that it will awake such an interest as will make Ohinemuri the centre of a very large and vigorous population, which, will be the basis of operations that will lay the native difficulty in the North Island for ever. If then the hand of Sir Donald McLean can now do what seems everywhere expected, he may retire to his island Government with distinction, for this one act at this particular juncture would be the most effectual towards finally bringing the natives into correct and proper relations with the superior race. Nor should the work of Mr. James Mackay be ignored. In a subordinate capacity he has done more, we ventu re to say, toward this end than he who will bear away the glory of it ; and if in the political arrangements pending, the mantle of Sir Donald descends on Mr. Mackay, we believe the colony will feel that at once justice has been done, and that a guarantee is afforded that any remaining difficulty with the natives which, may possibly arise will be vigorously and effectually solved. We observe it hinted, that Mr Ormond may be the successor in office to Sir Donald McLean. If the traditions of that office are to be religiously preserved, such an appointment would be fitting, and Mr Ormond's relations to native land transactions in Hawke's Bay in the past would afford joy and hope—to some. But if Sir Donald McLean actually goes to Fiji, there are, we think, few well-wishers to the country wh« would not rejoice in the prospect of our native affairs being in the hands of him who is now talking so plainly among the hapus of the Upper Thames.