OHINEMURI ATTITUDE OF TE HIRA.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4237, 14 March 1871, Page 2

OHINEMURI ATTITUDE OF TE HIRA.

I HAVE gleaned a few further particulars respecting the progress of affairs at the Upper Thames. The concessions made by the natives with respect to the Tauranga mail business have been repudiated by them, and consequently the ground thought to have been gained by the whites is pro tern, lost. But, let me hasten to add, not without a struggle (verbally) on the part of Mr. Puckey and the mail contractor. Nothing has been left undone by them to conciliate Mere Kuru, T© Hira, and the few obstructionists who have succumbed to the influence of the King party through Hunia. The old chief and hw sister appear, however, to be stubbornly infatuated to the extent of bloodthirstinesa, Te Hira is described to have behaved like a maniac the other day, when ho attempted to spear the mailman's horse He foamed at the mouth — his eyes protruded with rage j and there is no doubt that if the mailman had been white instead of black another murder would have been committed. Mere Kurn is said to be quieter, but even more dangerous. She speaks of the murderer of poor Todd as one who did a justifiable act in ridding the country of an intruder. The killing she declares was no murder in her eyes, seeing that the man had been warned not to trespass — and continued the old harridan significantly, "You have been warned not to cross native lands between Ohinemuri and Katikati— no white man travelling on the Queen's business may pass that way with our consent." On Saturday a final effort to carry the mails through was made, whilst Mr. Puckey was on the ground. Mr. John Thorpe, who has lived at Ohinenrari all his life, volunteered to make the attempt, and, accompanied by the chief Ropafca, started with the mail-bags. They were however turned back, and ao the matter stands at present. I still hear that the majority of the Upper Thames natives care in favour of throwing the Tauvanga route open, and that if the Government for once would only show a firm front the few malcontents would be cowed. — [Thames Correspondent. ]