SUBMISSION OF W. THOMPSON.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 119, 31 May 1866, Page 3

SUBMISSION OF W. THOMPSON.

The " Southern Cross " says, in reference to the Governor's interview with William Thompson : — A gentleman, in whose veracity we repose the utmost confidence, and who has undoubted moans of knowing the facts, called upon us yesterday to explain certain points connected with William Thompson's refusal to accompany the Governor to Wellington. He gavo us the following reasons which induced Thompson to stay. It appears that Rewi, and one or two other influential chiefs hostile to the Government, have been coquetting with Thompson's people and those living in his district to induce them to join in a preconcerted attack upon the frontier settlement in the Waikato. William Thompson disapproves of the enterprise, and will not countenance it ; and lie is afraid to leave the district at present. The chief says that, so long ns he remains in tho district, he can hold his people back with his hands (clutch them) ; but that if ho went to Wellington, even for a short tujw>, £*ifi .might induce them to join him, and a frpRuijr^i'-'liilotMwneaced. Our informant likewise pa} s would willingly go to Wellington wvue '%0' Vt 'libertr to dcv«o j in short, that he would est<|etoi J tt«» tjen'or to mrrompany the Governor, / • Th^jMae journal has the following . — \ We we glad to find that Europeans have turned j thpJT_ Vtfcentfen to gum digging in the Mercury Bay district, -where gum Is found in 1/trgo quantities.

These men have arranged with the Natives, and for a small consideration are permitted to dig over Native land. Tho Natives, however, produce more gum in the same time than the Europeans, but we presume the latter will become more expert. Our informant states that there appears to bo an unlimited supply of gum, and that all the unemployed men in Auckland might find profitable work digging for it. Certainly, at present rates, it is far more profitable than golddigging.