TAKANAKI.

Marlborough Press, Volume II, Issue 104, 27 December 1861, Page 3

TAKANAKI.

[From the Ilcrald, December 14.] Several public meetings and a sitting of the Provincial Council have been discussing the Scotch Thistle nuisance. After much talk, the Council agreed by the chairman’s casting vote to authorise the Superintendent to undertake the thistle cutting on public and native reserves, and on the land of absentees. The objections made were on the ground that it is unfair to spend the public money to do private work, a natural but one-sided view. The emergency is pressing like the case of a house on fire in a town; surely it would be insanity of the neighbours to refuse assistance in putting out the fire because the property actually burning is not their ow r n. The Council, however, are exerting themselves to put the saddle on the right horse for the future, and it is to bo hoped the General Government will aid in leading or compelling both Native and European recusants to do this important duty of weeding. The Thistle Ordinance is to undergo revision. A bill to provide for ascertaining the ownership of cattle was read a first time at the same sitting of Council.

The master of the cutter Thistle states (on what authority we do not know) that on the arrival of the schooner Matilda at Kawhia, the king natives at that port boarded her, demanding harbour dues and duties on her cargo. She escaped these demands by moving over to another part of the harbour while the natives were mustering in force to compel the captain to pay them.