The Native Meeting Begun.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1912, 18 February 1875, Page 2

The Native Meeting Begun.

Dispersed by the Bain.

(FROM OUB SPECIAL CORSEBPOiri>ENT.)

Puketeawaibahi,

Wednesday Morning.

The Native meeting will be held today. Until then you cannot know much, if you know anything after that has transpired. Great interest is taken in the projected "talk "by the Maoris; not from any desire, I believe, to discuss any matter touching the opening which effects themselves, but merely looking at it in the light of a spree.

The lamentable death of Mr John Williamson will work an entire change in events connected with the place. ETo Deputy-Superintendent having the power to exercise the power of the Superintendent, as the Governor's delegate, the matter of proclamation and subsequent arrangements will revert to the General Government, who will, there can be little doubt, take the control of the district itself; a course which a majority of the miners here were prepared to advocate at a meeting lately, of which I advised you, had it not been that that meeting was quashed. I learn that a way has been found by which no delay will be caused by this unlooked-for event; otherwise the consequence might have, been a protracted delay. Mr Mackay will draw up the deed of agreement as between the Government and Natives to-day. . Too much cannot be said for the energy and activity displayed by Mr Mackay, who has got through an amount of work which is really astonishing. He goes.off to the boundary line this morning, and will have his hancls full during the remainder of the day. Up early and late,'constantly working for the successful completion of the work whicK he has been so instrumental in bringing to its present stage, the people have in Mr Mackay a friend to whom they are indebted for much, and whose usefulness will not cease to be long after, this field is proclaimed. Old Eewai has fenced in a block of land, and Hopihama if contemplating doing the same.- These things are an evidence of the spread of civilized ideas amongst them. Old identities here tell me that the Natives were very uncivil and morose some years ago, when they opposed the opening successfully, but they are now excessively affable, and regard the arrival of the steamers every day as an event of considerable importance and occasion for rejoicing, though this species of diversion cannofc^be expected to Ibe of very long life, considering that we are now favorea with the arrival of at least three steamers a day. The meeting, as with all Maori meetings, was delayed, from what cause not exactly appearing. It was to have been held at eleven o clock, but. did not come off until after dinner, so that I am enabled to send you a little gossip. I visited the Paeroa this morning. The township is spreading,'and a number of Thames miners were idling about the hotel when I arrived. The brothers Catran and Trewheela came up by the Effort yesterday, Mr Walker is now surveying a line of road from Thorpe's to the Paeroa settlement, a load which will be very necessary, supposing Thorpe's to become a recognized landing place, though at • the same time, there should be no difficulty experienced in taking the present class of trading steamers to the Paeroa, there being a good depth of water all the way, and the river thus far is tolerably broad. It is the opinion of some, however, that the sight of the township will be further up towards the Gorge. There is an hotel in course of erection at this point, %the property of Mr Lipscy, and Mr McLoughen has a store and publichouse combined. This is a question, however, which it is not deemed competent at present to form a decided opinion upon. There will be little known of where the gold is until the proclamation is issued, when the miners will " let out."