The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1874.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1496, 26 November 1874, Page 2

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1874.

Voc the ctnso th»l Inek? tssistanco, for tti«" rvroMjt unit m-o.ls rcisiiiuacc, Koj- iliH fatnr? in tne iHntiine-e, A.wi the Ks>oi that wk .v-vii da,

Some people appear puzzled at the difficulties that lie in the way of the opening of Ohinemuri. It has been suspected that landsharking is at the bottom of it. Indeed circulars scattered among the Maoris leave little doubi; on the subject. But a document has been, to-day placed in our hands, which will, we think, show where is the centre of the opposition to the opening of Ohinemuri, and to the acquisition generally of lands by any, save the landsharking ring, from, the natives. Tile document was sent this morning to a native interpreter in this city, in order to be translated into Maori and, with the signature appended to be then doubtless transmitted to the proper quarter. The letter has been placed in our hands and accordingly we feel no hesitation in publishing its contents. The place from which this letter was sent for translation, and the parfcir 8 from whom it emanates we know, bub this we leave for the people of Auckland to find out. We would especially draw the attention of our Thames contemporaries to this document, which will explain to a large extent the efforts made to thwart Mr. James Mackay in his dealings with the natives for the opening up of Ohinemmi. The document is a geuuine one, and we are prepared to prove, if requisite, the source from which it came. It will be scca that the telegraph, as well as tho post, is employed in the work of thwarting the Government agents. The following is the document in question : —

"Tb Whiti, " Parihaka, " To be sent to Cottier's Masonic Hotel

" Fit I end,— Write me a long letter. lam on a newspaper here. J want to know how you all are. 1 shall come to the March meeting. McLean is here wanting to get; Obincmuri. Tell all the people to be strong to sell no land. Lease only. He is miking strong exertions to pet Minioiotu from the Ngatiraukawa at half the price European.l-, would give. H« gave Kerai), of the Muopoaka, £'J, ">OO to assist the hands of tho chief. Tel! the Ngatiraukawa with you not to sell. I telegraphed Renata yesterday."

We may add that since the foregoing was written, the document h::s been placed in the hands of Civil Commissioner Kemp, and we trust that in the interests of the general public, the Government will search this matter to the bottom. We are furthermore in a position to say that several communicitions of a similar nature intended for t ranMiiisfcion to the natives have been intercepted and forwarded within the past few days to Mr James Mackay, so that unless the Government for the sake of those involved feel the necessity of hushing up the matter, they have material in hand for a very pretty little enquiry.

Two suns cannot shiuo in the same sky, ard two geDtlemen with gubernatorial poweis cannot even for an instant exist in the same place. It appears that from advices received per the Mikado, Sir James Fergusson must, to use a colloquialism, " clear out," and remain somewhere in hiding while the Marquis of Normanby is being sworn into oOice. The thins; seems intensely absurd, but so it is. Ii is probable that Sir James will take to sea in his yacht and get out of sight of the coast somewhere. We do not know if it would be sufficient for him to get away into the tunnel in the Domain, where, being under ground, he might be regarded as defunct and buried. At all events he must make himself scarce until his successor is invested with the authority of office. Then, of course, Sir James may come out of hiding and drop into the second rank, but we do not think that this little episode and his temporary seclusion will in any way mar the warmth of feeling with which the farewell of citizens will be given to him at the ball which will be graced by his presence as well as by that of his successor.