The Ohinemuri Question.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1861, 19 December 1874, Page 2

The Ohinemuri Question.

THIS DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

The Natives of Ngatilamatera with the chieis Te Hira te Turn and Meha Te Moananus met at W. 11. Taipari's house this day, at 10 a.m. Sir D. McLean, and Messrs Maeliay, Kemp, Puckoy, and W. Taipari, represented the Government.

The business discussed at the meeting was principally connected with the opening of Ohinenmri. Hata Paka, Bopa'a te Pokiha, TeJCemara, Ngatai, Piniaha <c Wharikohai, Aierahama Tupou, Wi Koka, Pene Kaipara, Keepa Itaharuhi, >Hape Bewi, Paora Tumga, ¥araitiana, Honana Potiki, ftahena Potiki, Te .fluihana, Paraone to Maupu, Wikiwhi te Hautanga, kiki Paka Te Whareumu, t-tood up and confirmed tlie giving up of the right to mine' for gold at Ohinemuri. They represented this for themselves and others.

. The only persons who objected were Te Hira te Tuiri, Te Moananui, Hohepa te liauhihi, Tukultino, and Tareranui. The four last named said both the land and gold were to be retained by Te Hira. Te Hira appealed to Sir Donald-McLean to protect him in the occupation of the last of his lands at Ohinemuri —ho had no other place to po to.

Sir Donald McLean replied that the Government had no desire to remove him from the lands he occupied at Olrineinuri, or to take any of his land ; all the Government desired to obtain was the right to mine for gold as an equivalent for the moneys advanced to the natives on behalf of the Government. That the Government had been very careful in protecting Te Hira's riglits, and had turned off miners who had trespassed there, and he ought to take this action of the Government into consideration and cede the right to mine for gold. And he ought also to show good feeling towards his tribe and enable them to meet the liabilities which they had contracted by allowing them to give up the gold to the Government

Mr Mackay did mos of the talking on tt* Government side. The arguments used by Te Hira, Te Moananui and their party wero delivered in a quiet, and friendly spirit, and no very bad feeling appeared to exist on any side. The rain commenced about 2.40 p.m. and the meeting broke up at a.p.m., and will be resumed at 10 a.m. on Monday.