OHINEMURI.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1914, 9 December 1874, Page 3

OHINEMURI.

ME MACKAY AND THE NATIVES. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) December 7. Mr Mackay began by recounting what had taken place last Wednesday previous to his departure. He stated thai on his arrival in Auckland he consulted Sir D. McLean and Dr Pollen in reference to the proposals then made by To Wikiriwhi and Te Keepa. It was decided that he (Mr M.) should be left free to moke whatever arrangement he thought best in the circumstances. He then told them that he had full power to act in all matters connected with the Moehau, Waikawau, and Ohinemuri blocks, and they must not think that he was acting without authority, as it. was evident that some seemed to suppose. Sir 1). McLean would visit the Thames on Thursday to see the tribes, but would not interfere with the business. Te Wikaritvhisaid that when Mr Mackay was going away certain proposals were made, and he had no power to.entertain them. Now he had the power, and of course they could discuss tho matter. Mr Mackay said that they must understand that unless they, met him fairly he would act strictly on the documents in his possession. Te Wikiriwhi said that some had no land outside wherewith to settle their debts, and they, therefore, wished to give up the gold. Te Keepa stated that he had proposed to give the right to mine, and keep his interest in the land, He believed that gold was plentiful in the hill's. (Mr Mackay said ho had never seen auy—he had only heard reports that gold had been found.) Te Keepa went on to say that he thought that the amount received for miners' rights would soon- clear ofl the balance of the debt. Mr Mackay said he would hear what others had to say on the subject, Aperaharaa Tupou said lie had heard that, gold had been found, but he could not say positively that it was a fact. If the place were opened and no gold found, he supposed the land would have to go for the debt.

Hala Paka said that Mr Mackay's proposal was good. He had stated that ho had full power to act, and it was for them to discu?s the question—land or gold. _ _ Pineaha te Wharekohai said it was very well to talk about giving up the gold. He had been shown stone supposed to contain gold, but it was only mundic. Ho advised them to go into the matter fairly lest " confusion should be worse confounded."! Hatara Ngatai said he would consign to oblivion what had passed before. We did not agree before—let us agree to-day. The chrysalis had now developed into a butterfly (moth). He would say no more at present. Te Wikiriwhi said that he would suggest that matters in connection with the. Moehau and Waikawau should be left for To Moananui to settle as he had taken it in hand. 'With regard to this part he thought that it would be more satisfactory for each individual to settle his own affairs. If they tried to settle the matter as a body it would only end in confusion, and the innocent would be made suffer for the guilty. Hoera te Mimina said he would give up the gold and keep the land. Perhaps by-and-by the pakeha would get it all. Let each speak for himself. Tinipoaka said he had not heard anyone speak directly to the point; what was it to be-land' or gold? Te Koroneho then said that he would soon show him what his idea was. He then took two bricks—one representing the gold and the other the land. A stick placed across them represented the money advanced by Mr Mackay. He said be would propose to place the money on the gold and keep the land; of course, if the gold did not meet expectations he still had the land left for settlement.

Mataia said that they had been discussing as to whether land or gold should be given as payment, and had decided to give the latter. Ho would simply say that the final decision would rest with Mr Mackay, as he had said, that if they did not meet him fairly he would deal hardly with them. Hata Paka said it was necessary that they should be unanimous so as to be able to lay a definite proposal before JVir Mackay. Ngatai said there were two things mentioned—land and gold. If the gold was allright, well and good. If not, there will be a difficulty. Hopibona said, let us be .united. If both land android- bo given my body alone remains. Bapata te Pokiha said that he would be perfectly satisfied to leave all matters in connection with the Moehauand Waikawau block in Mr Maclcay's hands. It would be for them now to consider, the means of settling the balauce which would remain' after Mr Mackay had deducted the amount squared off by the outside land. The two questions-gold and land—were intimately bound up, now they are divided. Of course it was all vory well for them to try to make the best arrangement for themselves, but they must recollect that the cash advanced by Mr Mackay entitled him to some consideration. Let the matter be settled now. Hoera, Hata Paka, and Pineaha exchanged a few sharp words. Wi Koka approved of what Hata Paka had said. It was advisable to discuss the question sensibly, _ JUrailkna reviewed the whole question connected with the proposed opening of the district. With regard to what had been said about gold having been found ho would simply refer them to Hikutnia. i he great expectations formed about that part had not been realised. Of course it they gave up the gold now they would still have the land to fall back upon. Paora Tiunga said he agreed" with Hata Paka-the gold to the pakeha, the land to Te Hira.

Hapi liewi said lie was of the same opinion with Hata Paka, that the gold should be given up but not the land. Ho wanted that for himself. Pineaha said that it was right for every one to try to save himself, but at the same time they must have some consideration for others. Mataia said he gave his consent. He did not change his mind.-Wnmna te Uto said he agreed with Hata Ma's proposal.—Ngatai s/ii.i there wore only two points to consider, and the matter could easily be settled. Hohepa Kapeno said that ho thought they ought to go into tho matter on both sides with a conciliatory spirit, if the gold would not clear off tlie debt, then let them look farther for means of payment. Hoera made a very sarcastic speech, and gave Warana and others a few rubs. Ho said that his " raihana" would have to come out Of Ohinemuri, and tho question which now remained was simply tho

precise means of settlement.—Warana said it was quite right that all should discuss the matter in hand. Mr Mackay said it was simply wasting time for certain parties to speak so often. Let them speak to the point at once, and then give others a chance. HataPaka had suggested that they should discuss the matter so as to give a definite proposal. When they did so he would tell them what he thought of it. Te Wano te Paura said: I. give up the gold. Warana wanted to put his debt on lands outside.—To Wikiriwhi Hautonga said he was still of opinion that each ought to work out his own salvation.— Hohepa Kapene said if they gave up the gold the land would also go. Mr Mackay said that if anyone wished to oppose Hata Paka's proposition let them do so at once. He would ask them in reference to their proposal to divide the land and the gold. "What land at tho Thames had been sold-that included in the portion ceded to tho Government for mining, or that outside the boundary ?" Pereniki te Kokako said that his idea was, to ascertain to what extent he was individually liable; how much would bo wiped off by giving up his lands outside, and what balance would remain, fie agreed with Ngatikoi that the land should be retained and the gold given up, After a few words from Mataia, Paraone te Maupu said that formerly he kept free from debt, but others had shown him the example; but that although his head might be shaved, tho skull was still there. He would give up the gold, and would reserve to himself the right to deal with his own,— I Tupeka fe Whakamau and ' Timiuha followed.- Both said they would give up the gold. '' Mr Mackay suggested to Hata Paka that it would be advisable for him to see what Ngatitawhaki and others had to say on the subject. The opinion of Ngatikoi and others had long been known, When they had all discussed the matter, he would have something to say. Te I u hana said: I held the land and the gold. Now I give the gold, and hold tho land.

In answer to Hata Paka, Warana te Uto said he would hold on to both land and gold. Honana Poliki, on behalf of the Ngatipare, agreed with Hata Paka's proposal.— Paora Tiunga saidTe Whakatohea agreed to let the gold go.—Hatara Ngatai, for his. party, said that he was disposed to give up the gold.—Kiria Xarepe said it was useless to ask any of the Matowaru ai, of course, they would stick by Te Hira, and say that they would hold on to both land and gold. Hirawa te Moananui said that the Ngatitawhaki would.follow the Matewaru, and hold on to their own.—Haore Tareranui followed, and he said he would not speak against his parent's wish. Eapata te Pokiha said that two ways had been discussed—land and gold—aud the conclusion arrived at by the majority was that the gold should be given and the land kept. Mr Mackay said he would not speak until after dinner, as he would have a good deal to say on the subject. Food was then brpughfc out. ■■ • ...

After dinner Mr Mackay said that it was seven years since the question of opening Ohinemuri was first mooted. He then gave a short sketch of the principal events connected with the opening of the goldfields at the Thames. He said that formerly he had agreed that if Te Hira wished to hold on to this part he could do so, but afterwards the people began to draw money and goods on account of the lands outsido. While he was in Waikato they drew as much as could be placed against the outside lands, and then commenced to draw on account of Ohinemuri. They had shown to-day a disposition to meet him fairly in order to a settlement. He would also meet them in a conciliatory spirit. It would now remain for thein to arrange matters so that theland given for mining purposes should be set apart definitely, and that no confusion should hereafter arise. Of course, if the gold returns did not meet expectations they would have to settle as to the balance due in a fair and straightforward way. Both the gold and the land had formerly been left in To llira's hands. It was now for them to take the gold out of his hands and leave him the land. Ho added, " Yoit have met me fairly, and I will meet you in a similar spirit. The settlement of the lands outside can remain for the present. Te Moananui is now absent, but he and I will meet again to settle those matters." Te Vyikiriwhi te Hautonga said that if Mr Mackay agreed to the proposal they had made all would be plain and straightforward. If there were plenty of gold they would by and by derive revenue from it. Tainati Tangiteruru asked why they did not give up the gold.—Hata Paka said that the opinion of the tribe was that the gold should be given up.—Karaitiana said that some had given up the gold long ago, but he and others had had consideration for To Hira and withheld their consent. Now they were also willing to let the gold go, and no more need be said about it.—Pineahea. te Wharekohai said that those who had let the gold go wore the Ngatikoi, Ngatitangata, Te Whakatohea, Ngatitaharua, and Uriwha. He then went on to say that if the gold turned out right, their debt would bo cleared off and they would be safe, but if it did not, they would still have to meet the difficulty.—Hopihona said it would not be right for one or two to decide, but now the tribe said the gold'was to bo given up, that would be right.—Mataia said that he had not agreed to give up the gold for his own especial benefit, but for the good of the whole.

Mr Maekay said it was decided that he should have the gold and Te Hira should still hold the land. What more need bo said about it ? Takerei te Putu said that if it was clearly understood that the land was to be left in Te Hira's hands, he. would be satisfied. Mr Maekay said that it was only left for them to give an unanimous consent as to gold, and then each man's share could bo ascertained hereafter. Ho would asli them to give their opinion. Let those who agreed to give him tho gold and leave the land in To Hira's hands say "les" (Ac). All hands said " Ao." The contrary was then put, but nobody spoke. Mr Maekay then said that tho gold was now in his hands, and the laud in Te Mi fa's. Te Koronoho said that if others began to deal with the land, ho would do the same. He would agree to give his land into To Hira's keeping conditionally. Of course the business in connection with the outside lands would be left for settlement between himself and To Moananui, A good deal would Jyet remain to do in the way of arranging matters in connection with the blocks outside, and then regulations' would have to be made for Ohinemuri. In the first plnco it would bo necessary to settle tho business in connection with Hori Ngnlcapa and his claim to portions of tho Moohau block. S To Keopa asked what Mr Maekay pro-

posed to do in reference to this Ohinemuri question ? Mr Mackay said lie would propose that representatives should meet him tomorrow so as to arrange matters, and be prepared to meet Sir I). McLean. Piueaha te Wharekohai said he intended to interview Sir D. McLean in order that powder, shot, and caps might be placed in the list of marketable commodities in return for his having consented to give up the gold. liori Ngukapn. Whanaunga then went into the matter in dispute between himself and Mere Matenga, in reference to a piece of land called Waikawau in the Moehau block'.—After some considerable discussion, it was decided to leave the matter for the present. To-iuorrow a number of unlives will attend from each hapu to settle terms, &e., of proposed cession of auriferous lands. [PEA PIG RON EXPRESS.] {From Our Own Correspondent.) Ohinejiubi, Tuesday, 5.30 p.m.' Mr Mackay has been busy all day, engaged with representatives of the different hapus, laying off goldlields boundary, nativo reserves, and lines of road. liverything is going on satisfactorily, and good progress has been made,