OHINEMURI.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 36, 17 November 1871, Page 3

OHINEMURI.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) November 15. Having been detained by sheer stress of -weather, we did not get away from Ohinemtiri until Sunday, the 12th instant. Previous to our departure there was a small row caused by a report circulated by certain evilly-disposed persons as to the object of our journey. Mr. Mackay, however, completely turned the tables on his detrectors, and what was intended to do him harm, only made his position stroger. Wo arrived at Waihi in the afternoon, the nativas who accompanied us being Takerei to Putu, Tinipoaka, and Timoti te Huia. On arrival at the settlement we found only a few Ngatikoi there. However, Mr. Mackay and Takcroi explaiued to them the object of the visit, whereupon the chief Kaharuhi said that he had nothing to sav in the matter. Te Hira had consented, and he had the mana. We then proceeded to Katkuti, Mr Mackay s object being to get Hori Tupaea to accompany us far as Whangamata to see his pcopls of the Urungawera. We left the next morning, Hori Tupaea accompanying us. On arrival at Mataora a meeting of the Ngatiporou was held, at which Mr Mackay was well received. After listening to what he had to say, and also to speeches made by Takerei and Tiipoaka, the Ngtiporou said that they would not object to to the erection of the telegraph. In fact, several of them seemed rather pleased at tho prospect of getting employment on the line. I may mention that some of the Ngatiporou, who were turned away from Ivennedy’s Bay by Mr Mackay (when he was in the Government service), were present, and made peace with him. We then left for Parakawai, and were well received, on arrival, by the Urungawera. The natives assembled in the Iv nanga house belonging to Wi Kotero, and the korero lasted nearly all night. The speeches were of a most friendly character, and all were perfectly agreeable that the telegraph should be brought by the East Coast route. On leaving Parakiwai, Takerei and Hori Tupaea returned returned Katikati. We started in tho afternoon and crossed over the range to Hikntaia, stopping at night in a native hush whare. We reached Cashel’s this morning before dinner time. With regard to the road, we travelled, I

moy state that we- were agreeably disappointed as to its character. In fact, it is simply another case of a certain gentleman not being.so black as he is painted. We avoided the ups and downs of the usual track, by koeping higher up, and thus heading the gullies. Mr Mackay also made arrangements with Karaitiana, one of the large land owners, for the line to be taken down the valley of the Waiharakeke, and thence straight up the Paraknvai valley to Pukewhau. By adopting this route, the line will be some six or seven miles shorter than if taken round by Whangarnata. Mr. Mackay, I believe, intends taking the road for Shorthand at daybreak tomorrow. Your humble servant prefers to rest his weary bones, and will wait for the boat. I send this by my friend Timoti, who is bound for Shortland direct.