OHINEMURI.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2123, 17 August 1875, Page 3

OHINEMURI.

(FEOa OUB OWN. COBBEBPONDENT.)

_ August 14 Since my last, nothing of importance has transpired at the natve meeting, Thursday was devoted to a "whunga," in consequence of the death of a Ngatipaoa chief named Maihi, which took place at Cabbage Bay, and news of which arrived by the mail on Wednesday night, Yesterday the local natives wero busy mustering and killing cattle for tho feast, which will probably como off to-day. Some foot-races were got up yesterday by Messrs Alloa and Barron which, with tho quoits, served to pass away tho time, The principlo race was for two prizes, of 16s and 10s, and for which there were six entries—two Maoris, one half-caste, and three Europeans, Tho natives took tho prizes, and young Andrew Dinars was a very good third. On Thursday I paid a flying visit to Waitokauri. The track presented quite an animated appearance, as there wero sixteen travellen.outward bound together. Mr \Y. 0. Wright is going to lay off lines of water-race and tramway for the Waitokauri Company, and Messrs Eolly and party are going to start sawing 200,000 ft: of timber at once, Keelan's claim is now manned by a good working crowd, who mean to give the ground a fair trial. In fact, things are looking brisk in Waitokauri, and I hope that all parties may reap the reward of their industry. The petition to the Superintendent asking thata good sledge track may be made, is being numerously signed. By tho way, I hear that a chain wide is to bo cut off Mr Hennelly's agricultural section, for a road inside the goldfield boundary. If so, it will take the best of the Sat ground, and will rather spoil his farm. I think that a clause inserted in tho lease, providing for a right-of-way would be quite sufficient for present purposes. \

August 16. Before daylight on Saturday morninf guns wero fired as a signal to tho loca natives to come and assist in arranging tho food for tho feast. A little before 1 li everything was completed and a gun wai fired, the flags being lowered at the sam< time. Thero were about 1,800 kits o: potatoes and kurnara, which would con tain, I should say, fully 30 tons, the heaj measuring about 91 feet long, 6 feet wide ; and feet high. On top of tho kits 51 good-sized pigs and 8 bullocks in quarters were arranged in two rows. The bullocks had been properly butcheredby Mr George Binning, of Paeroa, but the pigs had b en simply knocked on tho head and. stuck, They were thrown on tho heap without being cleaned in any way, and in fact one pig I noticed was still quivering. At the back of the tahua kai rails had boen fixed up, and on these were hung a large number of blankets, shawls, and mats. Thero was ono very fine koroai mat, gorgeously decorated with pheasant and peacock leathers; one valuable kahukiwi, and ono dogskin mat, besides a number of kaitaka, koroai, and other kinds of mats.

Thrco valuablo mere pounamu were also given.- One called "Huripane," which was most admired, had been brought from Nelson by Mr James Mackay. Another called " Harataunga" was formerly tho property of Major fiopata Wahawaba, and tho third called "Taupari,' was from the tribe Ngatitipa, of Waikato,....One.single, and one doublebarrelled gun and two.horses were also given. At noon two shots were fired, and the small red flag, called " To Tihi," was hoisted, the largo Whakatiwai flag hayingsbeon taken'off. Mere Euru then camo forward, taiaha in hand, and proclaimed the presentation .-from the tribe Ngatitamalera, including the Whakatohea, Ngatihako, Ngatikoi, and others, to the tribe Ngalipaoa. She then gave placo to old Ngapo (Pineaha's wife) who called over the name of tho different hapus who were entitled to shares in the present. When near the end To Wano, who was Blightly elevated, camo 1 ' forward and hung his hat upon a slick alongside tho tahua-kai, lie was greeted with jeering remarks from tho other natives, and Mere Euru said they might leave it, as it would serve as a food basket for somo of tho visitors. When Ngapo had completed her part of tho performance, To Hira came forward and mado a few remarks. He referred to tho present, and suggested that they should stop at that. I think ho is right too. This is in rolurn for the.fcast given by the Fgatipaoa, and will cost tho natives hero very dearly. Before the new crops are ready they will bo starving, unless they can induce Mr Mackay or tho Government to assist them—which, of bourse, will mean parting with more land. After To Hira had spoken there was a pause. Hcnare, the. native 'policeman, of Ngatipaoa, then camo forward and look over the tahuakai, and suggested that tho sub-division should bo mado quickly, as the sun was goltinglow. ; Tarapipipi briefly thanked To Hira and his people, and tho work of sharing out tho food and olher things commenced. Everything passed off quietly, and with very_ little display. Many of the European visitors wore disappointed, as they had been led to believe that the local natives would "wero" the visitors in due form, and that a war-danco would ensue, but nothing of tho kind took place.

At night, To Wikiriwhi Hautonga, native assessor, gavo a house-warming, which, was attended by a large number of the European residents of Paeroa and lh6 neighbourhood. There was a very good spread (tho preparation of which had been superintended by Messrs Dixon and parly, tho contractors), and afterwards dancing was kept up until a lato hour. Yesterday the JKev. G'orgo Maunsell preached twico—in the morning at the native church at To Moananui's settlement, and in tho evening at tho Paeroa Hotel.

To-day the natives will discuss matters in general.