OHINEMURI.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 550, 14 October 1871, Page 2

OHINEMURI.

1M PO RT ANT DKTIfiR MI NATION OF

THE NA LIVE OWNERS

THE COUNTRY IS TO BE OPENED FOB

GOLD-IKD PURPOSKS

[frou on. OWN cohbesponden't.]

October 12, 1871. SINCi: tho date of my last, despatch; Mr. Piickoy has carried the mail on foot as far as fh6 usual " bailing up " gvound. flic natives who are opposing the mail route told him he could not pass, and he returned.

It is understood that consent was given in .oiiio way, that the mail and telegraph line should bo taken round by the East Coast and lTikutaia—a placo about sixteen miles east, of Shortland. This courso will be about the worst line of route that cotdd have been chosen ; it is much longer than tho route by the To Babe Gome, more exposed, and much moro expensive. There has some good to tho public arisen out of all this. The owners of the fee simple wore not the people opposing the opening of the country, and whatever bus arisen between them, the Native Agent for- tho G ovornmenfc (Mr. E. W. Pltckel),1 and Mr.' Mac-ay, the natives have determined to throw open the country for gold digging. There is, therefore, now no longer a reason for keeping this country closed. Lf tho Government does not consent, the natives will g-'unt prospecting permits,—a, course allowed by law, under the Goldlields Act Amendment Act, 18158. I li.aya no doubt that the J.'reas will i|j this case, as it docs in so many others, do good work for the public and tho minors. '} his country is ri«h in gold ; it is rich in agricultural land ; the native owners are not alone willing, but anxious, to opoa it. Let us see now what the Government will do. -.■;..

Mr. Pitekey and Mr. Miickay left, here'yesday,,and the.determination has boon arrived at'since they left—Herald.' ' ~ . ' '.[