LATEST THAMES NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1491, 20 November 1874, Page 3

LATEST THAMES NEWS.

£HE GREAT OHINEMURI MEETING.

TE HIRA WAISTS TO HOLD THE

LAND,

ME. MACKAY VERY FIRM,

GRAHAMSTOWN.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. The Advertiser urges that the volunteers who Bhot before it was discovered that the target was larger than allowed by regulalions thould fire again. It asks if one foot was allowed in the size of the centre, why not two or three feet, and urges that the affair will not look well to volunteers at a distance; and says the Thames men are well able to hold their own without the assistance of an enlarged target and enlarged centre. To leave matters as they are, would be unfair to the men who fired after the mistake was sound out. The great talk over Ohinemure commenced yesterday. The report fills more than three columns of the Advertiser. Hr Mackay took a firm and bold stand, and demanded the lands at Ohinemuri. He uked that they should find out what lands rlelougs to other natives, what portions ihould be set apart as reserves, and what given to the Crown. A long discussion then commenced. Te Hira said the work was not his ; the tribe was to blame for it. He would not i»rt with the ownership of the land, but tonld hold on to the tail. His idea was to

Jiltivarte. He told Mr Mackay long ago he | »ould not let the people get cash and goods on account of Ohinemuri, as he would not let it go. It was his restfng place. He was billing to give up the fiuits of the soil, but Hot the land. He complained of the place Wing overrun with surveyors. Mr Mackay said Te Hira formerly held the Jame opinion about not parting with WaiWav, and had now given way. He was Bot the sole owner of Obinemuri, but had bis •hare with others. It would be better for 'Te Hira to discuss the question than leave. Reserves would be set apart in each block ,„ for enltivation. He did not wish to cultivate land and send them adrift on the water. ' * <m*B£tß&&'^ fm&ti - Te Hira addressed Te Moananui, and , teled what was to be done, as Mr Mackay j- '.objected to the proposal he had made. #' Te Moananui said, Of course the goods , Would r h»Te to be paid for. He could not •gree with Te Hira about going away. . Haimoana said there was timber, fish, etc. 1 He created much laughter by suggesting that , the fwlvance's be repaid this way. Mr Mackay said he was not going to be , humbugged.' The money had been paid on the land not on fish. They all seemed willtoß to pay, bnt differed about the mode. He I did not wish to rush matters ; let them ; •Ppoint ten delegates to discuss and arrange. « would probably take two or three weeks to complete. Be was glad to see Te Hira Acknowledged the debt. He could inform f : them, that had he not refused to give "lore money if a debt much larger would I; **Te been created. » « Hira protested that his own hands Were clean. He would not attend the Lands Court, but thought the matter *»ght be left in Mr Mackay's hands. Mr Mackay had got Eikutaia, and ought to be Satisfied. He complained that the tribe was" . lot backing him up. Tareranui and Hohepa then spoke in favor tf Te Hira's plan, the latter bouncing until .. Mr Mackay showed what he had received. ■ ) $*& he became indignant and told Mr. ! AUckay to go. r ~Wr Mackay declined, and showed that hia i«neof argument would not settle a claim of *26,000. 1) o one had raised a tenable objecj 50n- Those who tried bounce were not slt eia k an<le<k He would not agree to leave in an unsettled state any longer. »»uy '*"* not accep*tis proposal > tney , heavy v eather. Ac Hi,^ siu^ the amount wan large, but nor

SJISb d Proposed by him as payment. He looked down the Peninsula but could not \ *J\ end>, He suPP°sed Mr Mackav wished to take the place and leave him a beggar. The fruits of ihe earth were many and abundant. They were as hair on the a/ J ,6ast' a? d he would have the bone. Mr Mackay said it was no use talking «n»WMe;tte land had been sold H would ask that the proceedings be adjourned till next day as it was late. They could think over what he had said,|and make up their mmds what to do. L Ngatu said he would not take long to mTnf 6'™? 6 W°"ld say let his debt be Paid out of Ohmemuri land.

The speeches of Te Hira are understood to mean that the country be opened on the same terms as the Thames,-the natives keeping the ownership of the soil, but giving the right to mine, cut timber, &c , on receiving fees. It is not likely the Government will assent to this after buying the land. J s