OHINEMURI.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 188, 16 May 1872, Page 3

OHINEMURI.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) May 14. The natives who left here to attend the meeting at Hikutaia have returned. It appears that nothing definite has been done. The first business was the handing over of payment to natives for trees cut down to clear the track for the line of telegraph. Mr Mackay had agreed that all kauri and totara should be paid for at the rate of twelve shillings per tree when exceeding one foot in girth. The natives now say that they have been officially informed that the price paid at the Thames is twenty-five shillings per tree,and refuse to take the amount originally agreed upon. It is really too bad that such obstacles should be thrown in the way. I suppose the natives did not at the same time receive an official explanation as to the difference in value of trees in the two places. At the Thames only such trees are bought as are useful for mining purposes and easily to bo got at, whereas on the line between Hikutaia and Pa akivvai the timber in most places is almost inaccessible. At any rate it is not likely to be troubled for commercial purposes for many years to come, and it is theiofore comparatively valueless at the present time. As a consequence of the disagreement the meeting came to an abrupt conclusion. After Mr Mackay bad left, the natives started a discussion about the disputed block of land, but Te Pamiliue would not enter into the subject, doubtless owing to the turn things had taken. Had the payment for trees been got over quietly I liave no doubt that the land dispute would liave been turned to good account by Mr Mackay. As it is, a little official information has done a great deal of harm.