OHINEMURI.

Grey River Argus, Volume VII, Issue 501, 1 April 1869, Page 3

OHINEMURI.

[From the Correspondent of the Neiv Zealand Herald.] Shortland, March 19. Mr Commissioner Mackay with Rapata returned from the Upper Thames in the Duke of Edinburgh to-day. lam glad to say that the news is satisfactory. The district is quiet, and there is no present likelihood of the peace being disturbed. It is true that the warning was given to the Europeans by Te Hira, with a hint that Te Kooti might come into the district, and there was no saying what he might do. Whether Te Hira and the others had auy idea that such an event as the arrival of Te Kooti might take place, or whether, as is more likely, they knew not, but wanted to frighten the, Europeans, we do not know. When Mr Mackay went up he found that Te Hira was living at his own place ; that everything was quiet ; and that there were no strangers in the district. Mr Mackay therefore wrote over to Te Hira, asking that he should come and see him. No answer was returned for some time, and Mr Mackay wrote again, saying that he must either sec Te Hira or his sister Mere Kuru. The latter then came over, and had a long conversation with Mr Mackay. She stated that the warning had been given for fear that the Europeans should be injured by strangers coming into the district ; and then, if that should happen, that the resident natives would get into trouble thereby. Mr Mackay — who had not left Auckland till after the arrival of the Tauranga with the news that Te Kooti had been driven away from Whakatane — pointed out these facts to Mere Kuru, showing her also that it was impossible for any strange natives to come into the district without the knowledge of the residents, who might, if they chose take such measures as would obviate any mischief occurring. The warning had been given, and they would allow the Europeans to act as they chose but not drive them out. The matter ended here, and we believe it has been determined to allow Mr Cashell's cattle to remain. The natives will' not allow Mr Thorpe to take possession of the ground he has leased, and about which there is some dispute ; and he has, in consequence, removed to the other side of the river.