Ohinemuri.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2123, 23 October 1875, Page 2

Ohinemuri.

(fBOM A. COESESPONDENT.)

Agricultural Leases. The Coal Question.

James Mackay Resigned.

Conjugal Infidelity.

MACKAYTOWN.

October 23.

Tlie dift'erent occupants of holdings taken up under the Lease Regulations are proceeding vigorously with the preliminaries of clearing and fencing their sections ; pretty large in areas have already been ploughed and planted, and generally there bas been a vast amount of energy and perseverance displayed by our pioneer settlers.

| The Natives also have this season an unusual quantity of land under cultivation, and though generally distinguished for their sloth, they at the present are to V* commended for the activity manifested Mr E. W. Puckey, Commissioner, has been busily engaged during the last few days in the transaction of important business in connection with the Native Department, and has been successful in effecting a settlement in a few troublesome cases. Now that he is here it is very much to be desired that he would be empowered to negociate a settlement of the much vexed coal question. In this case we have a valuable property at our very door ready to be utilized, and yefc owing to the opposition of Natives who claim that their right to it has not been alienated, it is lying undeveloped. The rumour respecting the resignation of James Mackay is generally discredited. In fact it has been authoritatively denied. A Native youth named Kirnukimu has got into trouble through playing the role of " Othello." Armed with a gun he sought revenge for honour lost, and was only prevented by the timely appearance of his wife's friends. The two native assessors, Wikiriwhi and Eopata, have engaged to restrain the wrath of this young man.