The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi.` WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1911, 17 February 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi.` WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1875.

It would appear that the preliminaries for opening Ohineniuri are not to be completed without an ebullition of rowdyism. This is much to be regretted, because it had been fondly, hoped that the rowdy element had been eliminated from the Thames community. A correspondent referred to this question the other day, and now our " special" at Ohinemuri has been more explicit. It would appear that there are at Paeroa a few of those choice spirits who, >ome six years ago, figured conspicuously at Butt's Corner and other places of resort; men who would literally "jump on" every one who differed from them in opinion. These people were to be found at election meetings to hound down public speakers who had crer given utterance to opinions which did not accord their own narrow ideas. They waylaid and beat unfortunate fellows whom they were afraid to meet in fair combat; and they generally behaved themselves as only ignorant and cowardly persons will. It was, we say, hoped that , a repetition of such scenes would never be seen, but iK>. is evident that there are at Ohinemuri a few individuals who would prefer to see a renewal of old times. Mr Hogg, a respected settler and enterprising pioneer of the Thames, happening the other day to express an opinion that it would be better for the General [Government to administer the new goldfield, wai threatened with " throttling." At the meuting on Monday, when he attempted to'speak he was met with hooting, and a scene occurred which necessitated the interference of the police. !PTow we say at one© and distinctly, that these things should not be; rowdyism must be put down at once. If the Police force is insufficient to put down the rowdy element, all law-abiding and libertyloving subjects should assist to stamp out any show of mob tyranny. Old residents will not require to be told of what occurred here to warn them of the danger that will threaten Ohinemuri if once lawlessness gets the upper hand. Let them take measures in time. We do hope we shall not have to refer to this matter again; but we cannot refrain from expressing our opinion that . the worst tyranny men can submit to Is that which makes it dangerous, or altogether impossible, to give free expression to their opinions in a lawful and peaceable maaner.