SINGULAR PROCEEDINGS AT OHINEMURI.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2125, 19 August 1875, Page 2

SINGULAR PROCEEDINGS AT OHINEMURI.

We learn'that a singular demonstration took placo at Ohinemuri on Tuesday, in vvbioli Mr 0. P. Mitchell boro a prominent part. It appears 1 that Mr ' Getygo Cribb was erecting a house on tho flat land hear Mr 'Mitchell's promises,' and it was nearjy oomplqted, and ready ;foy shingling. 'Mil Mitcliell claims' the land on whichuit was,being.crected as.his own, and a large hutilb'et 6f 'natives assembled on the spot on Tuesday. Mr Cribb was present, and so was' Tnspcctoi?' Newell, tho offlcor in,charge of tho A.C, Forco at Ohinemuri.' After a long conversation or dispute, it was agreed that tlio matter should bo discussed at the native meeting, whou, as wp are informed, Mr Mitchell ordered tho natives to drag tho house down into tlio river, alleging that, ho would take the consequences. Ho sent a messenger to his house for a rope, and with this tho natives' dragged tho unfinished building into tho river. Of courso the building was 1 shaken to pieces,; tho windows broken, and other damago caused, and Mr Cribb v came down to Shortland to seek redress. Ho applied to Mr Puckoy and to Mr Bulleu yesterday, 1 and, wo understand/ho,'ihtonds to institute proceedings against Mr Mitchell. Mr Cribb informs us; that the natives allege that Mr Mitchell has no claim at all to tho land on which tho house was erected; that it Was outside his boundary. It certainly at present bears all tho appearanco of a high-handed assertion of claim on the part of Mr Mitchell, but aB it is likely to bo tho subject of legal proceedings, wo refrain from making any remarks which might prejudice tho case. The house was, wo believe, being crocted for a native, but Mr Cribb was of courso responsible for it until it was completed and taken over by the owner..

WAIOTAHI DISTRICT BOABD. The usual / fortnifibtly meeting of llio Waiotalii District Board was held last evening. Thero wero present Messrs A. Brodio (iu the chair), 0. Hill, and 0, S. Broun,; : The ; minutes of. last meeting, were confirmed, Tho Board 'considered and, approved tho aßsessment-roll prepared; and- appointed a day for hearing objections to tho rating. It was agreed that copies of tho assessment list should be left at tho Waiotalii school and at tho Eureka .school for convenience of ratepayers. A vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs Hopkins and McNeiss for tho manner in which tho roll had been compiled. Mr W. H. Crick was appointed rate collector,subject to ? his finding security satisfactory to the Board. It was agreed that tho sccrotary and ohairman should bring under the notice of tho Premier that thero were no private dwellings in the district, rated sufficiently high for the qualification ' for trustco required under tho Local Government Jillj that; although the district was a very large one, it was chiefly occupied by miners who resided in small houses,—Tho Foreman of Work's reported that tho repairs to tho Moanataiari road) from tho Golden Calf to tho ■borough boundary, had been completed; als'oi tho track' from the Multiim-in-shoot to the head of tho Moanataiari, and tho traok from the Nonpareil hopper towards Irishtown. A letter was received from Mr Beed calling attention to the fact that a portion of the road on the Qolden Calf spur had been damaged by the'late rain, and was dangerous in its present state.' Tho letter was referred to tho Works Committee. Sovcral .accounts 'were passed for payment, and the meeting then terminated.