NEWS FROM THE UPPER THAMES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3221, 12 November 1867, Page 4

NEWS FROM THE UPPER THAMES.

We have received intelligence from the Upper Thames through natives who are in the most seoret councils of Te Hira and Te Pakaroa. The question of opening up the country is being eagerly discussed amongst the natives all over the district from Ohinemuri right up to Matamata, but there is no sign of yielding on the part of the men of the extreme party. They are, however, restless and agitated, and somewhat dismayed, knowing that many of their own people are willing to give up their land for gold - working. The section headed by Eobert say that, unless they can come to some agreement about opening the land, they will by-and-by appeal to the .Native Lands Court, whioh will individualise their titles, and so enable them to allow gold-digging on their own pieces. The introduction of the Native Lands Court in the Thames would be a most excellent thing for the province, as it would enable arrangements to be made in a more satisfactory manner than at Kauwaeranga, by settling all disputes as to ownership. The quiet action, however, of Robert's party would be injured by any agitation on the part of the Government, or any illjudged efforts on the part of the miners at Shortland Town. We may say that every expression used at the meetings at Shortland Town— especially anything violent— is repeated up the Thames, and these expressions are used to fortify the position of the obstructive party.