The Opening of Ohinemuri.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1489, 18 November 1874, Page 3

The Opening of Ohinemuri.

MOANANUI CONCILIATED.

INTERVIEW WITH TE HIRA

MERE KURU HAS GIVEN IN.

TELEGRAM FROM THE NATIVE

MINISTER,

GRAHAMSTOWN.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. Tiro steamers are running daily to Ohineinuri. A special of the Advertiser writes that the great talk is postponed until Thursday, and v expected to last the week. The breach with Moananui has been

I healed, and his accounts will be gone into to-day. Yesterday, Mr Mackay was engaged in settling with Te Hira's people. The old man himself did not come there, as the re las been no direct transaction between him - self and the agent of the Government; but lis nephews, who are heavily indebted, shewed no wish to obstruct or repudiate. Te Hira sat with a few friends on the other side of the river, and I went over to see him, and introduced {he subject of the opening. He said he did not want to give up Ohinemuri, as it was the last place which he had for himself. The "Eaihana" would be fixed on lands outside Ohinemuri, and as to any which could not be disposed of in that way they would give the produce of Ohinemuri, the timber, anything, but would not let the soil itself go. He said also, that the total of the ' 'Eaihana" had been made to mount up to a large sum, because the prices of the coats, shirts and other things had been greatly increased.

Returning to the place of meeting, Mr Mackay read out a telegram in Maori to the natives, of which the following is a translation :—Napier, November 16.—Friends—I liave a great deal of business to attend to. I shall not be able to visit Hauraki at an early date. You and Mr Mackay had better conclude your talk (business) which you «c engaged in, because 1 have business to attend to in all parts of the Island. I send this notice for you to read to the natives. -Donald McLeax."

Our reporter says in speaking to the natives he could not help seeing that they Tere in a stare of great perplexity and {rouble. They were amazed at the total of their indebtedness. They have been living lice pleasant lives lately and have never thought of the day of reckoning, and are now stonished when pulled up sharp. The naives, I speak more particularly of the section ho have hitherto opposed the opening, are tttured to think that the soil they almost I wship must go, and yet cannot clearly see sj other way of escape. They will attempt try subterfuge and will propose every kind / compromise ; and here it is that the greatest dangers lie. If the hills were given ip and? the lands which might be cultivated retained, we might not be much better off. If abundance of gold, were found the question would be settled, and the plates soon pass into the hands of Europeans, but if, as in the case of theHikutaia block, no gold is found, then the flats would still remain closed against the Europeans. In speaking to the natives, I found that the idea of some kind of compromise universally prevailed. They hardly blew precisely of what kind, but some agreement which would obviate the necessity «f their parting with the ownership of the land.

Several Thames residents sre visiting Ohinemuri. Everyone is surprised at the few natives left, and the Bmall number of young men and children in comparison with old men.

Te Hira's nephews are all strongly in favour of opening, and have received large Mms of money lately. Mere Kuru has also given in. The steamer Scotchman, with grain transhipped ex Endeavour, has left for Auckland. The annual election of officers of the Sir Walter Scott Lodge ended as follows :—Rev. •• Hill, worshipful master; Mr. Airey, deputy master; Mr. Murray, substitute Jsster; Mr. Lowe, senior warden; Mr. wnt, junior warden; Mr. Carpenter, Usurer; and Mr. Watson, secretary. A W celebration will take place on St. «bew's day. j«b anniversary of the Shortland West* Sunday-school was held last night, l*n addresses were delivered by the Rev. ■^srs Crump, Oliver, Laishley, and Davis.