THE NATIVE MINISTER AND THE OHINEMURI COUNTRY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4281, 9 December 1874, Page 3

THE NATIVE MINISTER AND THE OHINEMURI COUNTRY.

We have been, furnished with extracts from telegrams which have- passed between Sir Donald McLean and Hr. Mackay, on the subject of the Ohincmuri lands. , To say that the Government are opposed to the opening of this country is to accuse them of culpable negligence of the requirements of the colony, and of the wishes of the inhabitants of a wide district. We can understand that the Government are averse to any undue pressure being used to anything that would produce quarrelling ; but that they can do otherwise than earnestly aid the efforts of their representatives in the matter-we cannot for a moment believe. Mr. Mackay, acting for the Government, entered into this negotiation with ample powers, and for whatever success he achieves he deserves credit. The following is an extract from a telegram sent by Mr. Mackay to the Hon. Dr. Pollen, on the 16th instant ; and appended is a message from the Native Minister, which Mr. Mackay’s telegram called forth, together with Mr. Maokay’s reply thereto The Government can help a little if a telegram is sent by Sir Donald-McLean that he cannot say exactly when ho can visit the Thames, and that he has a great deal to do at -Auckland and elsewhere. , ' (Signed) .Tames Mackay, jun. Sir D. McLean to J. Mackay, Esq., jun., dated, 16th November, 1874. ■ « Friends, I am very busy, and shall not be at Hauraki for some time. You and Mr. Mackay had’bettor settle the question'upon which you are at present engaged, ’as - li have many duties to attend to in other parts of the island. In’ accordance with suggestions contained in your telegram to the. Hon. Dr. Pollen, I send this notice for you to read to •the natives. 1 D. McLean. Extract from telegram from Jamos Mackay, ■ Esq,, jun., to Sir D. McLean, dated 19th 1 November, 1871. “Many thanks for your telegram, winch has had a good effect,— JamEs Mackay, jun. ’

We can understand that some natives would prefer to settle the business with the Native Minister, but this would hardly be just to Mr. Mackay, who has had all the trouble of the preliminary negotiations, that any interference with him' should he made, - A display of too much anxiety is sure to be misunderstood by the natives. Meanwhile, what is wanted is to prevent any underhand influence being exercised with the natives in the interest of land speculators. We believe the Government, as representing the colony, are desirous of thwarting any such machinations. The difficulty is to trace these to their true authors. Every effort should be employed to secure the opening of this land on fair equitable terms. At hardly any time in the history of the Thames has there been a greater necessity than at present exists for the diversion which the opening_ of Ohinemuri would create, and the impulse it would give to the business of the locality. Wh are, therefore, exceedingly, desirous to see a satisfactory' setlement arrived at, and we hope Mr. Mackay will speedily reach that desirable consummation.