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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4338, 13 February 1875, Page 4

The news from Grahamstown, which we publish among to-day’s telegrams', is very satisfactory. Sir Donald McLean and Dr. Pollen are at Ohinemuri, and will remain there until that district has been opened under the Goldfields Acts, which event will take place in about a week from this date, the preliminary surveys not having been completed. Ohinemuri has long been highly esteemed as a likely field by prospectors, who have gone over it pretty freely, but who have not been permitted to prospect systematically, owing to the opposition of Te Hira. and the Old Maori party, who have the mana of the land. Very strong pressure has been brought upon the Government from time to time to coerce them to declare Ohinemuri open, and public meetings at the Thames censured the authorities, on more than one occasion, for their want of sympathy with the miners, who conceived they had a right to roam freely over the country, and prospect where they pleased and when they pleased. Of course, all this was very unreasonable. It was also very unwise, because the resistance of the Natives became obstinate in proportion to the eagerness displayed by the Europeans. The Government have been most anxious and persevering in their efforts to open Ohinemuri ; and now their efforts have been crowned with success, without in any way offending against the prejudices of the Natives, who are consenting parties. Tb Hira and Moananui have given way, and the minor chiefs follow their lead. The direct credit, no doubt, is due to Mr. James Mackay, jun., the Commissioner, but his diplomacy would have been vain if it had not been for the pacifying effect upon the Maori mind produced by Sir Donald McLean’s administration of Native affairs. The Native Minister has been fortunate in having had almost uninterrupted control of Native affairs since 1869 ; and during the interval that has elapsed since he first assumed office with Mr. Fox, he has completely pacified the country, restoring not alone peace but confidence between the races. His recent interview with King Tawhiao, and the opening of Ohinemuru, are two of the. most recent, as they certainly are the most remarkable, instances of the success of Sir Donald McLean’s Native policy, on which the colony should be congratulated.

Whether Ohinemuru will disappoint the expectations formed regarding it is another matter. That it is auriferous, there is no doubt; and competent judges believe in the existence of alluvial gold in the slopes of Te Aroha. Already we hear of the return of diggers from Australia, attracted by the certainty that Ohinemuri is to be opened ; and no'doubt many who left New Zealand to try their luck at the Palmer River will make their way back to the genial climate of the Thames, when they learn that the much-coveted district has been thrown open to the. miners.

We sincerely hope that the most sanguine expectations may bo realised. The development of a new and payable goldfield in Auckland would give a stimulus to the gold-mining, industry which it greatly needs at present. It would also attract capital and population to the colony, and assist in building up this young State, which has already done so much, by free immigration and the construction of public works, to promote the settlement of the country.