The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLII, Issue 4326, 23 December 1874, Page 2

The Lyttelton Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23.

In a letter dated December 14, our Auckland correspondent says that “ except the OMnenrari question, there “ is nothing to interest us in Native “ affairs at present.” On the principle that no news is good news this must be considered satisfactory. But, it will be asked, what is the OMnenrari question P “Why should it possess an especial interest ? The reply is, so far as the country is concerned, that Ohinemuri contains, or is believed to contain, untold mineral.-wealth in gold, silver,*, copper and other ores. From that have appeared in the Auckland and Thames newspapers, the diggers of the latter district have been hungering and thirsting after this reputed land of Ophir for several years. There seems to be a fixed belief that extensive gold deposits exist there, and that nearly all the other valuable minerals are to be found in abundance. This may, or may not, be the case. We are disposed to believe that the “ riches ”, of the country have been greatly exaggerated, and yet we have the opinion of men who are supposed to be experts to the contrary. They have repeatedly asserted that the Ohinemuri country is invaluable to the colony, and they have never ceased to agitate for its , purchase from thje Natives. If they' had been more discreet, it is probable that the purchase would have been effected without difficulty. 7 -• ■ ; For some time past, it seems, the Colonial Government . have made “ advances ” to the Upper Thames, or Ohinemuri Natives, in the way of “ provisions and goodsbut the so-called advances have always been made, we are informed, on the distinct understanding that they were to be “ charged “ against Ohinemuri and the adjoining “ unalienated districts.” Further, it is stated that many Europeans looked upon these “advances” in the light of “presents” to the Natives, and “there “arose much babblement” about the flour and sugar policy. It appears that' some of the Ohinemuri Maoris now intend to “repudiate the advances,*’ and it is believed that they have been instigated to this course by “ would-be private purchasers.” They demand one pound instead of ten shillings per acre for their land—-the latter being the price offered by Mr Mackay in the capacity of Government Agent —and hence the delay in opening up the Ohinemuri country. There is no dispute, we are told, about the “ goods ” having to be paid for; “ the only question is, what price is to “ be given for the land.” Our correspondent adds that, as yet, the only questioh is whether the Ohinemuri country is worth one pound per acre. Some people, he says, aver that the whole district is highly auriferous, and others are equally confident that it is not. Whether the country is, or is not, auriferous, the Native Minister, “at Mr Mackay’s “urgent request,” paid a visit to-the Thames on December 11:—“ And, all “ things considered it seems likely that “ we shall soon hear the last oi this. “ much vexed and long-outstanding “ Ohinemuri “ ever, be remembered that though a “ large majority of Natives agree to “Mr Mackay’s terms, Te Hiri, “ Moananui, and several other influen- “ tial chiefs, are holding out. 1 And' it is “ certain that the Native Minister will “ not proclaim Ohinemuri opened, until “ the Native owners, without exception, “ desire such a consummation. Among “ well-infonned people it is thought “ likely that for the present, Govem- “ ment, without withdrawing then’ just “ claims, may agree to lease the hills, “ i.e., the presumed auriferous portions

“ of Ohinemuri.” In conclusion, our correspondent expresses the opinion that there will be a great rush from Auckland and the Thames whenever the country is thrown open to diggers. It will be seen that, if the correspondent we have quoted gives accurate information —he has always done so on previous occasions of a . similar character—trouble is brewing in the Upper Waikato. We have the diggers and private purchasers on the one hand and astute Natives on the other. The latter are full of fight, and the former are greedy of gain. If it were a North Island question merely, there would be no especial necessity to refer to it; but when we consider that the South Island, in case of war with the Natives, will have to bear the greater’ portion of the burden, the case , is altogether altered, These Native wars, as they are called, have always cost the South a great deal more than the North Island. The latter has suffered directly,

and the foßney mainly'pa&iorJjh* suffering, SucMprfi all everaijis ouly verdic^whhc^re .ess : bho#Wt,^e s ' ; 6|otiili lljlhd 8s ttohiC, m aboujt threie-fouiifchi of[ {he I exjwfeegi^uirecl^bjr, “ with the 'MaoiTs;” And tins fact inbasris that thi-ee-fourths of our commercial capacity has been thrown away, or that it has been expended for the_.be|iefit t£ose who are now trymg to obtain, a )shiife]m the newspapers of the province speak, truly, has no. Iwdcd estate; and this attempt to “purciiase” Ohmemmi is only another illustration; «£ the system which has, from ’first trf' last, cost the South Island so much money.; The law* as to purchase of, Native lands, should ■ be, made clear ‘ and -distinct, so that both races could be held responsible. Neithdr race can know at the present time whether a, legal transaction has b ee n made; and .the worst of it is that the South Island, when it comes to a' question of- -payment, has to. bear this■brunt. '