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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4292, 22 December 1874, Page 2

It is to be hoped that Sir Donald McLean will succeed in opening the Ohinemuri district. The telegrams wo have recently published from that locality are certainly not assuring, and we are inclined to think that only a faint idea indeed was conveyed by them of the character of the opposition organised against Mr. Jambs Mack ay, jun., the Government Land Purchase Commissioner. That persons, from interested motives, have conspired to thwart the acquisition of this valuable block of land by the Government, for public purposes, there is too much reason to believe. Indeed, but for the opposition in question, this fertile and extensive district might have been secured for settlement some time ago. However, the most that apparently can bo done at present is to obtain permission to mine for gold, leaving the land in the hands of the Native owners. Even that project is opposed by Pakeha Maori agents, in the interest of speculators. Patience must be exercised by the Government agents, however. The law cannot reach the persons guilty of this misconduct at this stage, although it is rumored that public

feeling will in all probability manifest itself in an unpleasant way towards the active agent of the obstructionists if he perseveres. The Ohinemuri district is, in fact, the key to the Upper Thames and King’s country. With a large European population located there, war would be impossible. The Natives would have no base of operations. They would be hemmed in on all sides save one, namely, Kawhia, and it might be easily blockaded. Regarded in this light alone, the acquisition of Ohinemuri is a matter which should be kept steadily in view ; but when, in addition, it is likely to give profitable employment to a large body of miners, and is certain to support a considerable agricultural population, then we say its acquisition is doubly valuable. War is a remote contingency ; but the extension of the gold-mining and settlement area in Auckland would have an immediate and beneficial effect upon the colony at large. Again, we say, it is to be hoped that ’ Sir Donald McLean may succeed in overcoming the objections of Te Moanandi and Te Hiua, and the smaller fry of Maori chiefs, and throw Ohinemuri open to European enterprise.