THE OHINEMURI COUNTRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4268, 24 November 1874, Page 3

THE OHINEMURI COUNTRY.

(From the New Zealand Herald, November 11.) When are we to arrive at the bottom of the Ohinemuri difficulty ? How long are plots and counterplots to go on, and reports, rumors, and opinions to be circulated before this reputed fine country is to be opened to the Europeans, and to revive the drooping spirits of the TWm residents? We have more trouble brewing just at the moment we were led to believe everything was settled. The Thames Advertiser reports that during the past few days unpleasant rumors of various kinds have been floating about regarding some alleged interference on the part of certain PakehaMaoris —in combination with one or two land sharks in Auckland—with the negotiations that are now going on for the immediato opening of Ohinemuri for settlement. We do not know (says our contemporary) what amount of truth there may bo in the statements that have been whispered about in the streets, but one little fact has been brought to our notice which tends to show that there are men among us who desire to see the country still locked up. A small printed circular —got up in Auckland we are told and printed there—has been circulated among the natives of Ohinemuri, urging them to “ hold on” to the lands that they have sold to the Government, and for which they have received payment, and telling them to take no notice of Mr. Mackay, but to wait for the Native Minister, Sir Donald McLean. We have not yet received a copy of this document, but we believe that it has been very generally circulated amongst the Maoris, and that the only object it is intended to serve is to delay for a period the opening of the Upper Thames, and thus enable certain speculators to secure a few fine blocks of land. The scheme is a very nice one, and those who are at tho bottom of it are evidently not troubled by any very conscientious scruples, but on this occasion their plans are likely to miscarry. Tho natives are favorable to tho opening of tho country, the great bulk of the supposed auriferous land has been secured by tho Government, and tho opening cannot bo delayed for any lengthened period. But notwithstanding this, we. hope the Government will endeavor to discover the mischievous individuals who have distributed these circulars amongst tho natives.