The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1874.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1841, 26 November 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1874.

We have heard a rumour, which comes from a reliable native source, to the •ffect that Mr. Mackay does not find the Natives at Ohinemuri so plastic as he expected—in fact, that he has been " cornered." It would appear that in advancing money on the Moehau and Waikawau blocks Mr Mackay arranged for no stated price to be paid, and the owners now open their mouths too wide, demanding as much as a pound an acre for their land in some instances, instead of from a few pence to a couple or three shillings. Seizing the opportunity thus presented of holding on to Ohinemuri, it is stated that Te Hira and Te Moananui have given orders to break up the meeting. This is in substance what we have heard regarding the present situation; and if it be true—as we have no doubt it is— Mr Mackay's work will be rendered still more difficult, and the expected opening of Ohinemuri may be again indefinitely postponed. We should be glad to hear that the matter is net a serious one. Coming from a native source the information may be slightly colored and invested with' a character not really attaching to it. Mr. Mackay is bound to obtain a footing in Ohinemuri, because he has advanced money to natives who had no leeurity to offer but their interests in Ohinemuri lands; but if the chiefs Te Hira and Te Moananui possess any of their old power over the tribes the attitude they are reported to have assumed will constitute a new difficulty for Mr Mackay to contend against in conducting Ms negociations. The natives generally art shrewd enough to take advantage of any point that may arise likely to favor themselves; and this new idea may possibly have wo* over to Te Hira's side many of those natives who were previously agreeable to opening the country.