OHINEMURI.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1909, 3 December 1874, Page 3

OHINEMURI.

MRMACKAYDECLARES HE WILL .OPEN OHINEMURI. (feou our owk correspondent.) Tuesday, December 1. I told you yesterday that the meeting was adjourned on the arrivalof the steamer. The natives assembled at Pukateawairahi again to-day. Te Moananui began by advising them not to speak, but to leave the matter in the hands of himself and Te Hira. Mr Mackay said that they had been talking for the last three weeks. That sort of thing must come to an end. Therefore, let all speak out at. once. Te Hira and To Moananui had had nearly a month to themselves., Wikiriwhi Hautonga said: Let all the tribe speak. This business has now been jn hand a long time, and people do not know how matters stand. It is, therefore, better that all.should speak now, so as to come to an understanding^ Pineaha te Wharekohai said: Let us speak. You have taken things secretly, and now wish to sacrifice me., Mataia spoke a few words, evidently trying to avoid compromising himself, and then Pineaha spoke rather strongly to him in consequence. Te Moananui said: You are right. All the.ropes are still fast to hold this place. Mr Mackay said there had been ton ropes, but they are all cut, and the land is gone. You have got mine; I will take yours. Then addressing the people, he said it was for them to talk. Te Moananui again advised the natives to leave it to him. Addressing Mr Mackay, ho said: You have your guns, powder, paps, <fec. I do not care for that. I have given you thosa lands out?jde for your goods, and that is all. ' Mr Mackay asked: vVhat is this aJtoitS gpnj, powder, <fco,P I thought

our warfare was to be confined to a war of words, and our tongues were to be the weapons. If you begin to talk about those things, I can tell you at once that I am not afraid of you or your guns. Wikiriwhi Hautonga said : The lands outside have gone for the "raihana," &c. Now let the tribe have something else here (referring to gold), lest they give up the land here for their names which have been written. It will be for you and Te Hira to give us something else. Te Hira said: The raihana has given the death-blow to every place. That which has been (jiven up outside in the daylight ought to be the payment. This is asked for. I hold to my word. I will not give it up, Leave it. Settle it well if you can; if not, if trouble arises, it will not be a new thing in the island.

Te Moananui: I went to Papaturoa. I heard the land had beengiven up lastnight by Ngatikoi and Pereniki. I also heard the name of Ngatai mentioned. I said in answer, "We need not be afraid; they gave up the land before." Ngatai, my word was about you. I said, " Why did you come here to cut the ropes ?" After a few words had pass»d between Te Moananui and Pineaha, P-reniki te TCnkako said: I said that.l hid given up lvnd. It is only settling arrangements wuich takes time.

Mr Mackay: Let Ngatitaharua talk. I will take my pieces at Ohinemuri. Pereniki: Finish outside; then talk about inside. Mr Mackay: You have finished yours outside, and have written for inside. I will have both. Mataia: I did not say my raihana was at Ohinemuri. I did not sign for there. Mr Mackay: Are there two Mataias P I have the name of one of them. Tupeka te Whakamau said he had previously stated that his raihana was to be paid out of Ohinemuri. yesterday he heard it was tor Te Moananui to pay for his raihana with lands outside. He added, I give up my land at Ohinemuri for my raihana. •Te Moananui asked, who told you to speak of that land P I gave you that outside. Mr Mackay: Settle your own debts. Let each one talk of his own. Wi Eoka spoke. He said that Te Moananui had given him a piece at Moehau, and Te Hira a piece at Waikawau. Only his body was in Ohinemuri. Until yesterday he had no land oubide, and now his things in Ohinemuri were in the hands of Te Moananui and Te Hira, Mr Mackay said he had signed for the land here. JBiki Paka said: I took my raihana outside, but there was no room (kihai i uru), I therefore said they must come here or elsewhere. Te Eemara: J said that mine was outside and at Ohinemuri. Hobep* Kapene said, I agreed to sell Ohinemuri after I saw that Takerei and Perereka had done.'so. Mr Mackay asked Takerei te Putu whether he had signed papers giving Ohinemuri as security for cash and goods advanced. Takerei tried to evade the question, and asked whether he had not sufficient land outside to pay all his debts. Mr Mackay read out certain orders which Takerei had given to storekeepers, in which he had requested Mr Mackay to pay, and charge amounts against his land in Ohinemuri. He then toll him off pretty strongly, and said that it did not become chiefs to tell lies. By so doing he placed himself on the same level with Wi Koka, Mataia, and others, who first made promises and then tried to evade them.

Perereka te Putu and Warana te Uto were brought to book, the latter trying hard to deny having signed certain papers. Mr Mackay then oiled on Rupene, Tinipoaka, Hunia te Weu, and Haora Tareranui.

Tinipoaka got up, and gave his version of what he hal done. He tried to insinuate that Mr Mackay's agents had procured his signature by intimidation, but Mr Mackay took him up at once, and showed that he was speaking falsely. Hunia te Weu said that it was true he had got cash and goods on account of his land here, but the amount would now have to be charged against the lands outside, as Te Hira and Te Moananui had got Ohinemuri in their hands.

Mr Mackay told him that it was too late to say that now, as he had long since signed papers handing it over to him. Then Rupene tried ito get out in the same style, but Mr Mackay brought to his recollection that so lately as the meeting at Whakatiwai he had asked for money (and received it) on account of Ohinemuri.—Haora Tareranui tried to deny having signed on Ohinemuri. When challenged by Mr Mackay, he admitted having signed on Te Horoand Te Aroha, but still tried to deny having done so on Ohinemuri.—Mr Mackay then called on Ngatipare.—Honana Potiki said he would not deny having signed on Ohinemuri. He heard that all hands were getting cash and goods on account of Ohinemuri, and did not wish to be out of the fashion.— Tahana Potiki followed in the same style. — Eapena Potiki reluctantly admitted having takon cash and goods. — Karauria Paka was called, but did not answer to his name. Mr Mackay then called onßapana Uia and Nepihana. He said that Rapana was dead, but Nepihana was present and could speak for himself.—Nepihana tried to deny having signed on Ohinemuri.— Mr Mackay then called on Ngatai.— Ngatai said he did not wish to interfere with the land of others. He would ask whether any portion of Te Mata remained, and Pereniki said it was all sold. —Ngatai said that that being the case he had nothing left but Ohinemuri, and that would have to pay his debt.—Te Moananui and Ngatai then sparred freely.— Mere Titia asked Ngatai to pay her £100 be owed.—Ngatai asked Mr Mackay to pay it for him.-Mr Mackay consented, and told that that would make £400 w R I e against Ws land in Ohinemuri. -Mere Titia said she would not take the money from Mr Mackay, but would take Ngatai s land.-Tukukino and Ngatai got at loggerheads.-Tukukino said he would take Ngatai's land, and then Ngakete (Ngatai'a son) said o Mr Mackay "Here is your land; take it. -fo Hira went in for the old style of argument, and said he would never agree to let Ohinemuri go. This was his final determination, and he would not attend any more meetings to discuss the matter. He then referred to Ngatai's position, and said that he had forfeited his rights.—Pokai then explained what was the cause of their temporarily leaving this district. When they found that people were drawing cash and goods on account of Ohinemuri, they came back to look after their interests.—Mr Mackay then called ou Ngatikoi. — Te Kepa Raharuhi said that he never attempted to cast his debts on any other place than Ohinemuri. He had no interest elsewhere. (When Pe Hira found how TeKopa was shaping, he got up and left the'meeting, a tended by the "army of 1" Horopapera.) 3Jh.?n. To Monnanui tried to bounce the

N/gatikoi, but Mr Mackay. said that he need not try to dictate to him, and turning to Ngatikoi, he said, "Ngatikoi, you and your land are here. Pear not Te Moananui, but trust tome."—Hoara te Mimiha then I started to speak, but Te Moananui, Mere Titia, and Tareranui tried to put him down. Then addressing Mr Mackay, they said, "If you side with Ngatikoi, take them with you. Take them away." Then followed a general shindy. Hopihona sided with Ngatikoi, and things got pretty warm. Te Moananui was dancing mad, and gave vent to his feelings in no measured terms. When he had finished, Mr Mackay took no notice of what he had said, but simply called on the Whakatohea to speak. — Pineaha te ! Wharekohai said he took the responsibility on himself for what had been dono by To Whakatohea. If others gave up land here in payment of tbeir debts, he would do the same. The Whakatohea debt was not large. He called on others of the tribe to speak sensibly in reference to the matter in hand. —Paraone te Maupu said that formerly Ngatitamatera had not been willing to allow him to share with them outside. Now he did not want to do so. He had an ancestor there through whom he could claim. He now said that his land was here in Ohinemuri, and against that land would his debt be charged. He was fully determined on the point, and would say no more -Te Moananui again tried to change their determination, and then he and Mr Mackay went at it again -Tareranui and Mere Titia joined in, and after some discussion Mr Mackay told the natives that he would proclaim Ohinemuri opened to tho miners. He would withdraw his former prohibition, and call upon the miners to come and take possession. —Te Moananui's people and the Jliriwera then got up to go, and Mr Mackay told them that they had to thank themselves for what he had done. If they had met him fairly he would have gone into the matter quietly, Who cared for their displeasure p—Wi Koka then got up and said that he would now state openly that he gave up Ohinemuri. (He threw down a stick as a symbol, and Mr Mackay picked it up.) Mataia followed suit, and exchanged his tewhatewha for Mr Mackay's whip.

Mr Mitchell and a number of Europeans waited on Mr Mackay and. asked whether they were to consider Ohinemuri opened ? ■-Mr Mackay replied that they would have to wait until he proclaimed the fact in English before taking action. He would state, however, that if Te Moananui and otliera persisted in refusing to meet him fairly and settle their just debts, he would have no further consideration for them, but would proceed to act on the strength of the documents in his possession. Afterwards, addressing the natives, he said he would claim to the eastward of a line running from the present boundary at Eurere, keeping along the base of the hills, and skirting the Komata and Paeroa blocks, then passing the settlements and crossing the Ohinemuri River above them, then running .by Eotokohu and crossing the end of the range to the Waihou river, excepting the Waihi and Mataora settlements on the East Coast.—The rest of the day was occupied by tho natives in discussing minor matters.

I hings have now reached a crisis. Of course it will take some time yet to arrange matters. I hear that Te Moananui is going to Shortland or Auckland at ouce—doubtless to look for the support he referred to a few days ago.

[PEA PIGEON EXPRESS.]

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Wednesday, 4.40 p.m. I sent you a report of yesterday's proceedings per 'La Buona Ventura' this morning. In it I told you that I had heard that Te Moananui was going to Shortland or Auckland in consequence of the turn affairs had taken at the meeting. He started on horseback last evening with the avowed intention of proceeding direct to Auckland to see the GovernBlent. This morning Mr Mackay opened by saying that Te Moananui had left for Uauraki, and he also wished to go to Auckland. Te Wikiriwhi, speaking on behalf of the party who wished to open, said: If you are going away, let us know-what is your ultimatum. Te Kepa Baharuhi said: My proposal is, that you take the right to mine for gold, and leave me the land. Mr Mackay said he had no authority to lease land for gold-mining purposes. His instructions were to purchase only. He must consult the Government before ho could accept any such proposal. Mr Mackay went down in the ' Buona Ventura,' and will also proceed to Auckland. Things have now reached a crisis, and. the Government will have to show their colours. It is now put point blank before them either to side with Mr Mackay and open the country, or to side withTe Morfhanui and keep Ohinemuri closed for an indefinite period. I hear that most of the natives who are willing to open the country wish to do so on the same terms as now existing on the Thames—miners' rights, &c. Of course even that would be better than keeping the place closed. However, I suppose Mr Mackay will have a proper under" standing with the Government as to their ideas on the whole question.