PIGEONGRAMS

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2847, 30 March 1878, Page 2

PIGEONGRAMS

OSZNSICI7BI.

(FBOK OXTB OWN COBBBSFOHDBMT.)

Pamxu, This day, noon. The Hon. John Sheehan, accompanied by Messrs . Grace, Puckey, Mackay, Brodie, Creagh and Sub-Jnspector Ballen came up from the Thames yesterday to Tisit Takukino at Te Komata. Mr C. F. Mitchell met them as he was on his way down to the Thames and also accompanied them. Old Tukukino still persists in his determination not to allow road making between this place and Hikutaia. I understand that the Hon. John Sheehan has intimated to him that he will come and see him again after attending the meeting at HikUrangi. If they cannot then arrange matters, " each witl gang his am gait." I hope the Satire Minister will show him round if he will not listen to reason. The party returned to Shortland, with the exception ot Messrs Mackay and Creagh, who catue on to Paeroa.

Mr H. C. Wick is taking down per Piako to-day the following parcels of pold :—Hitchinson's tribute, I Smile of Fortune), 18ozs Bdwts from 13 tons; Cox and party's tribute (Smile of Fortune), 21ozs lSdwts from 22 tons. Tlio crushings from the No. 1 reef Smile oi Fortune and the Owharoa (late Morning Light) are still going on and will not be cleaned up until the middle of April. Including the prefious parcels of gold last tent there have been nearly lOOpis gold got during the past month. The Mangakara battery will start crushing boulder stuff next week.' About 25 tons are ready* and are being packed to the mill.

(FHOJC A COKBBSTONDKNT.)

. Paeroa, This day.

Yesterday the Hon. John Shechan, accompanied by our worthj County Chairman, Mr J. Mackay, Mr Grace and others, armed at Komata for the purpose of having a korero with Tukukiuo and Co., the obstructionists to the carrying through of the new road to Ohinemuri.

On the way up Mr Shtehan took the opportunity of declaring the Hikutaia bridge open. Arrived at Tukukino's hapu, the party were welcomed in the usual style, and the korero was proceeded with. Mr Brodie explained the object of the visit—to talk about the new road, lie introduced Mr Shechan to them. Tukukiuo said evasively that the County had put on men to make the road at Furiri in spite of the promise made them that nothing further would be done regarding the road. This, however, was denied by the County Chairman and Mr Mitchell. Mr Sheehan, after referring to the reason why he had not previously visited them, laid he wai present to hear, the objection to the construction of the road. Ho was present as a representative of the Queen, and acted in the capacity of judge. He would support the law which said the Native Minister could make roads through Native lands, though he wished to know their wishes as to the direction of the road first. They would : be compensated for the land taken. To this Tukukino only answered that he did not want the road, and threatened that if the County Counoil annoyed him farther, trouble would arise: Mr Sheehan replied firmly that the road would nave to be made, and if any blood was shed the parties doing it would come under the lair. He insisted upon a reason. Tine Poaka intimated that the reason of Tukukino's obstreperousness was in consequence of g' the wrong done him by his land being put through the Court without his consent. Mr Sheehan said that a commiiftofr of enquiry, might be appointed to inquire into and set right the grievance. After further discussion Mr Sheehan, at Tukukino's request, agreed to meet him at Hikurangi, when Sir George Grey would be present. Mr Sheehan, however, gave the Natives distinctly to understand that the matter would hare to be settled before he went to Wellington. The Brty then left for Shortland. r Sheehan certainly deserves the greatest credit and the thanks of the Seople, both fy. this district and the hames, for the earnest and decided attitude with which he met the ob» : structionists puerile objections to the road, his line of action being so different to the hateful flour and sugar policy parsued by the late Government, which ne-' eessitatcd the expenditure of thousands . of pounds annually.for the sole object and result of pampering a lot of savages.