Ohinemuri.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1830, 13 November 1874, Page 2

Ohinemuri.

MR. MACKATS MEETING,

November, 12ta, 1874,

Some lifcile excitement was created among pakehas and Mao.-ies this morning by an impromptu address by Mr Mackay to some of the members of the N gatimavu tribe who happened to be present. His speech, was a msster-pieco of eloquenco aud delivery in tho Maori language. Maclray accuses Ngatimaru of saying things behind his back at their late meeting in Shortland which they dare not say to his face, and I am informed he will take steps to expose their i double dealing conduct. Mackay is well able to hold his own lip here in spite of all opposition. lam surprised to observe in the Advertiser of this date, just received by the steamer, a letter from a Mr. E. V. Dixon stating that the majority of the native land owners are against settling anything until. Sir Donald McLean arrives. From my own experience the contrary is the fact. Te Hira, of course, wishes to remain quiet on his own land, but tho advances made by Mackay on. account of Ohinemuri lands aro so large that it will require all these lands to cover such advances —always excepting, of course, sufficient reserves foi the j Natives. , . It is a great pity that pri- i vate individuals' are permitted to interfere in delicate land purchase questions with the natives. Mackay has the ball this time at his feet, I think ; but there is " many a slip between the cup and the lip;" If he should meet with any temporary check cow, it can only be through the ill-timed interference and malice of disappointed land speculators. Should any such persona appear here just now, I reckon they'd have; sto clear out pretty smart, arid one person especially, were ho to show his face, would not bo made too comfortable. About Wednesday or Thursday next will be the time of settlement. Till then we can. only speculate as to the result.