The Ohinemuri Question.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1862, 21 December 1874, Page 2

The Ohinemuri Question.

PUBLIC MEETING. A public meeting, convened by the Mayor at the request of a number of the inhabitants of this district, was held in the Academy of Music on Saturday evening. Tie meeting was called for eight o'clock, up to which time people gathered together till the Hall was well filled. It was supposed that the Mayor would take the Chair, but after waiting some time it was learned that he was unable to attend. Mr Sims proposed that Mr Howe take the Chair, which was seconded bj Mr | Bagnall, and carried. Ihe Chairman opened the proceedings by saying he was sorry that the Mayor was compelled to be absent, as he (the Chairman) had only become aware that the meeting had been called five or ten minutes before, having just returned from Auckland. He then read the requisition to the Mayor to convene the meeting, and expressed a hope that those present would so conduct themselves as to ensure that consideration at the hands of the authorities to which they were entitled ; and lie furthermore said that were they to so conduct themselves those proceeding would have ten thousand times more effect than if they were to go in a contrary direction. He had not considered the matter fully.. Had he been at the Thames he should have setn the advertisement, and have been better prepared to address a few observations to the meeting. He might, however, state at , once that he believed the Government were doing all in their power to accomplish the object sought, and the proper course for that meeting to pursue was to take the necessary steps to strengthen the hands of the Government. It would be a pity to take any action to show that this time the people were dissatisfied with the course adopted by the Government : for, whatever had been in the past, they were now making most strenuous efforts to open the country for the people. The speakers who followed would have something to say upon the importance of opening the Ohmemuri district for mining; also for purposes of settlement. At present they were so dependent upon outside supplies that the cost of general articles of consumption was far greater than it ought to be. They had among them a large number of people who would settle upon land could they obtain it; an* would be able to supply not only this district, but the whole province. Their hope was to combine mining and agriculture together in so far as possible. It was a pity that numbers of young and able men who had grown up in connection with the mining industry should be driven away from the Thames, and very often New Zealand, while there was land bucli as Ohinemuri in close, proximity ; and they should seek by every legitimate means to get that country opened up. At the same time ho j would regard the rights of the natives Sometimes people were heard to speak of " sweeping them away :" his opinion was that it would take a very large broom to do that. It was the duty of the Government to combine the interests of the Iwo races, and this he believed they were doing, and using every means in their power. He then called upon Mr Bagnall to move the first resolution.

Mr Bagnall, M.P.C., said he had been unexpectedly called upon to move this resolution, it having b *en placed in his hands only within the last quarter-of-an-hour. When he read the advertisement calling the meeting he had a doubt as to the advisability of calling a public meeting at the present time, and he still bad a doubt upon his mind on this subject. There could be no doubt that they were all anxious to have the upper country open, neither could there be any doubt as to its paramount importance; yet in the peculiar circumstances in which they were placed, and pending the negociations between the Government and the .Natives, there was such a thing as too much interest, and, by being over anxious, endangering the cause they had at heart. He thought, however, that if the meeting expressed the feelings of the pablio in a Judicious manner, it might have good effect. He agreed with the Chairman that the Government had been doing their best in the matter. He did not pretend to understand the working of the Native Department; but he considered Sir Donald McLean was a better authority upon the subject of Ohinemuri than any one present that night, and he thought the meeting should be very careful in any action it might take. They could not but confess that Sir Donald had great experience, and should be praised fordoing his best (A. voice: " Soft soap !") He did not deal in that. Sir Donald McLean was a memjjjar of the present Government, who were Pfegaged in pursuing a great policy (namely, the colonisation scheme), and the opening of the interior country would be the means of assisting to make that policy a success. Sir Donald saw that were the country opened, it would advance the colony as a whole as well as the Thames district. It was for this reason that he (Mr Bagnall) believed Sir Donald and his colleagues were anxious for the opening of the country. Mr Bagnall then read the first resolution (stating, that he did not approve of the wording), which ran as follows :—" That a deputation be appointed to wait upon the Hon. Sir DoDald McLean to impress upon him the advantages to the conntry at large of opening Ohinemuri, and to urge upon him a continuance to an early and sue* cessful issue of his present exertions in that direction, and that this meeting pledges itself to support the Government in any action it may take to bring the negotiations to the desired result." The prm-

cipal matter (he continued) was the importance to this place and the country generally of opening Ohinemuri, and it would be almost an insult to the good sense of the meeting were he to dilate upon its importance. At the present time it was well known that a great depression in mining matters prevailed, and were the country opened, it would offer an opportunity for many p£ the people to find a field for their labor. Many persons had waited for six years in the Lope of obtaining agricultural land to settle upon in that district which was now lying dormant. The settlement of these lands by Europeans would likewise advance the interests of the Natives, the value of whose land in thaj locality would bo considerably enhanced by the improvements which the introduction of civilization would effect, in proof whereof the speaker alluded to the increased value "of land in Shortland since the place had been peopled and cultivated by Kuropeans. (A. voice: "Even Block 27 !") Yes ; even Block 27, which was now worth more than the whole district was a fow year* ago, and from which the natives were drawing a rental of £500 annually. On these grounds they should endeavor to assist the Government, who were willing and anxious ; yet he hoped that any action they might take would not operate against the success of the Government. (A voice : "How about Mack ay ?") Mr Mackay also deserved the thanks of th» people. (Hear, hear.) Few men could do the work of Mr Mackay, and few men would have fought so hard and determinedly as he had done. (Cheers.) Mr Thompson seconded the resolution. Mr Otto said there was nothing definite in the resolution. Their object was to strengthen the hands of the Government. He would tay, "We insist on the purchase direct of "Ohinemuri! " The Miners' Bights business must come to an end. What right had they to be paying £8 an acre for land on the hills, and £1 for,a miner's right? To this the Government would answer, "Oh, this is our agreement with the Natives, and we cannot break it." They had had enough of that principle. No industry in the world would have it. They never heard of men paying £1 a year for coal mining. They did not object to gold duty; the only tax that fell heavily upon companies was paying £30 or £40 for miners' rights. He would move as an amendment—" That this meeting pledges itself to support the Government in the purchase 01 the land direct, and that only." There was do seconder.

Mr Carpenter, MP.C, said he bettered they were acting wrongly in holding that meeting. If it was believed that the Government were doing their best, the meeting was pursuing a course calculated to impede their efforts. The Government would be in a position, in case of nonsuccess, to say that the people got up an excited meeting, and charge them with having caused the failure of the scheme. He would say—Let us see the end. For himself, he did not approve of the meetings now being.hold down here—he did did not like meetings being held with closed doors. He might not be'satisfied individually, that, the Government were doing their best, but he was wilting to give them the benefit of the doubt. He was willing (now that the Government had taken the matter in hand) to wait patiently to see the result. What was the use of a deputation—would it commit the Government to any course? Let them take their own course, and wait upon them afterwards. He knew there were land sharks, but there were also other sharks—those men who were fit and proper candidates to ride upon a rail ornmented with tar and feathers: he spoke of that class of men who, when affairs might have been brought to a favorable issue, sent papers among the Natives and thereby prejudiced ,the efforts of the Government. (A. voioe : " Dixon !" ) He was one, though only one, of a certain class. He had so little faith in any man of the Pakeha- Maori stamp that he would not trust him any further than he could see him. There were great and small of that stamp, who were of importance individually. It was for them to look with caution upon what any one of them (however small) might do in a matter of this kind. He then moved the following amendment: — "That a committee be formed for the purpose of collecting evidence relative to the negotiations being carried on relative to Ohinemuri to report at a future meeting." He impressed still further .upon the meeting that they should wait the issue of the present negotiations with the Government. If they succeeded satisfactorily, then could be meted out to them the praise which would be deserved; if they failed, then would be the time to let them know what the public thought of them. "

Mr Dixon here came upon the stage for the purpose of making an explanation; his ascent thereto was the signal for a bedlam of hissing, hooting, and cries of " turn him out." The Chairman essayed to obtain a hearing for Dixon, bat could not. Mr Adam Porter seconded the resolution of Mr Carpenter. He did so (he said) because the Government were doing how what they ought to have done years ago —simply doing their duty. The last time efforts had been made in this direction the Gorernment excused themselves by throwing the blame upon the inhabitants, and if that meeting attempted to interfere with present steps the blame would be again thrown upon the shoulders ot the people. Mr Dixon again came forward, The Chairman appealed to the meeting to give Mr Dixon a hearing. He put it to, them that any man present (no matter what position he might be in) were he alluded to by name, would consider it an injustice not to be allowed to explain. (Hear, hear.) He had never presided at

a meeting where such a course was not allowed^ and ho should vacite the chair unless it was allowed now. (V roice: "He is not fit to speak here.') If he had done wrong, and was not able to justify himself, they would be able to brand him as he deserved, but if they let him come out and speak (Mr Dixon had taken shelter in the side-wing) their condemnation would have a thousand times more effect. Mr Dixon coining forward at this time, was assailed with a storm"of excited- ' hisses and mournful groans..-. „'-, He said : I came here not to make a speech, but to answer any questions that may be put tq me. ■•,"'.- ,-C''.'"■ Mr A. Campbell (from the body ofthe hall) asked Mr. Dixon whether he had as an interpreter accompanied a deputation of Europeans to Kapata's settlement. Mr Dixon « ; I was *oae with tome others. • Mr. Campbell: DiJ you at that time go to Te Hira and tell him to drive the pakehas down to Hauraki P Mr Dixon: I did not. . ;<, Mr Campbell: You tell a lie ! The latter gentleman then came on the stage. The Chairman said this was not the course to pursue. The meeting should be confined to questions having reference to Ohinemurias at present. .',.',. ."■'.'. .'..- A good deal of. confusion Dixon endeavored to articulate, amid tfll uproar, that his sole object was to get the country opened. .. ' Mr Campbell said Dixon was one of the greatest enemies the people ever had. Mr Dixon again came 'forward to speak.

A voice: You ought to be r tried for treason—you're a traitor to jour country! ? Mr. Dixon got a partial attention here. He said some of the natives said they would deal with Sir Donald McLean, and others that they would- deal with Mr Mackay. He only desired to get both men in the field at once. The sooner that was. brpught about the sooner would the country be 6psen\r Vi ■ '-'■ ' '; •; -'■ '■•*• -d>u> Mr Campbell saidsuch men as Dixon hid been thei curs^'of'thecb'untry since it was inhabited.- ." :: *l The Chairman could not see that ihis discussion had any .relevancy, to the matter. He would cpnfessihat-- Mr Dixon's explanation was unsatisfactory-— it meant nothing. He, himself, considered thatrPakeha-Maoris did a great deal of mischief. .*. , /. | ; ...... Mr Carpenter asked Mr Dixon whether he advised the tia^es not- io > take leas than 10s an acre for tne land on which Mr Mackay was offering 2a 4d. ••■■■•-—* Mr Dixon: I advised the,m to sell the and to'the Government. " ' ' The Chairman made some remains prior to putting the amendment. He believed Mr Mackay was making every effort.to get the country opened^, aiid^fTie (&e Chairman) could do anything to strengthen his hands* he would do it, but he considered it was not advisable for them to take any action, as it showed a want of confidence in the Government-and Mr Mackay. Mr Bagnall (mover of the original motion) replied. He said the speeches during the evening had not been charac tensed by temperance, alluded to each in turn, and said nothing had heen said to affect the motion at all. The Chairman read the amendment first, which was carried. Mr Carpenter then submitted a motion that the following gentlemen 1 be a com* mittee for the purpose stated in hia amendment:—Messrs Bowe, Sims, Hollis, Wickham, Bagnall, Campbell and the mover, with power to add to their number. Mr Bagnall requested to have his name erased, also Messrs Wickham and Campbell. ■ Mr Campbell seconded the resolution. He believed very little would come of it. Mr Sims said there had been a great deal of milk and water business during the evening, commencing with the Chairman. How was Sir Donald McLean to know what they wanted unless they let him know. The Government should understand the feelings of the people, and in order that they might, it was quite necessary to hold a meetine. He would much rather have had the original motion carried, and a deputation appointed to wait upon Sir Donald. He moved that a committee be appointed, to consist of the Mayor, Borough and Provincial Council* lors, and as many more as they thought proper. *, The Chairman then put Mr Carpenter's motion which was lost.

Mr Brown, M.P.C., said lie had previously taken no part in the proceedings, because lie considered them premature. They had waited for six or seven years when the Government had made no steps towards opening the country, and bow when they were among us, enaeavering, so far aa he could see, to accomplish that object, a: meeting like this would in a manner frustrate movements. * Wait till; the present negotiations were completed, and if the Government failed they could then hold a meeting and give forth no uncertain sound. Let McLean finish what he had begun: By holding a meeting while the Government were on the ground, they were simply firing blank shot. He believed in bringing pressure to bear upon the Government, but as for the bunkum talked there to-night, about letting the Government know the > wishes or l tiw people, the Government knew perfft'vfly well that the people had been waiting for six or seven years to have Ohmemuri opened. He would more that this meeting is premature, and that no action should be taken pending present negotiations with the natives. Mr Nolan seconded Mr Sims' motion. The Chairman ruled the motion of Mr Sims out ef order, as the Meeting had rejected the principle which it embodied at the outset m Mr Bagnall's motion,

Mr Campbell seconded Mr Brown's motion, which was lost. A little previous to this part of the proceedings a few natures came on the stage, and, one expressed a wish to spealt, previous to Mr Brown's address, but was forgotten in the confusion that, characterised the meeting. > A Tote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.