PIGEONGRAMS.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2866, 23 April 1878, Page 2

PIGEONGRAMS.

OSZNSICtJBZ.

More obstructions] on the part of

Natives.

..(■■• .... .. Bridges and Swamp Crossings

Destroyed.

The Native Minister's prosmoe

badly required.

(PROM OUB OWN COBBESPQHDEICT.)

Pamoa, This day, noon.

A public meeting, conrened by Mr D. Leahy, of persons interested in getting a portion of the money granted by the GoVernment to assist prospecting operations spent in this district, was held on Saturday eveningat Mr J. H.Mahoney's Belinont Hotel, Paeroa. There was a very good muster, and all took great in terest in the proceedings. Mr A. Porter was roted to the chair, and Mr H. D. Johnson was requested to act as secretary to the meeting. It wasresolred that" A Prospecting Association for the Biding of Ohinemuri should be formed, and that the persons present should form such Association, with power to add to their number." The following «entie men were elected as the Executive Committee, three to form a quorum, viz.: Messrs A. Porter, D. Leahy, J. fiiordan, J. M. Bobson, G. S. O'Halloran, H. C. Wick, and A. Moore. A subscription list to meet

necessary expenses was opened in the room, and Mr J. M. Eobson was appointed to act as Hon. Treasurer. The meeting was then adjourned until the 4th proximo, at 7.30 p.m., at the same place. As soon as the room was cleared the Executive Committee held a meeting, Mr A. Porter in the chair. Mr H. D. Johnson was requested to continue to act as Hon. Secretary, and . was instructed to write to the County Council to ask what steps they have taken in the matter. In the event of their not having taken any steps to get the money placed at their disposal, it was resolved that two of the members of the Committee should be sent to Auckland to wait upon the Ministers.

On Sunday evening the Rev. W. E. Mulgan, of Katikati, preached in the School-hou>e. there was a very good congregation, and the rev. gentleman's discourse, ot which the text was taken from the Epistle'for the day, was listened to very attentively. At the conclusion of the service he announced that he couid not fix any date for his next visit. It was very probable that the weather would soon break, and then, although it might hot appear a very formidable road to a yoi nger man, it would be impossible for him to undertake the journey. He would, however, if his health were spared, resume his ministrations next spring. It is to be hoped that some of the Thames clergy will try to do something for us during the winter season. They, at least, cannot make bad roada their excuse, if the steamers run regularly the whole distance.

' It had been arranged by Mr Aitken, County Surveyor, on Saturday, after pay-' ing the Natives for work done on the Mackaytown road, that some of them should be drafted off under Wikiriwhi, Bapata and Pereniki, as Native bosses, to start work on Monday morning on the Faeroa-Puke road, leaving a small party under Xeremeneta to finish the Mackaytown road. On Sunday there was a meeting at Te Komata, when Tukukino and party stated they would not allow the road party to work. It was arranged I that Tukukino should come to Paeroa to interview Cr Mitchell on the subject. Accordingly yesterday morning there was a large muster of Natives and Europeans, Councillors Mitchell. and Thorp being present. Mr H. D. Johnson acted an interpreter. The result was that Cr Mitchell agreed on behalf of the Council to suspend operations until after the Hon. John Sheehan's promised visit. Pakara Ngaroma.of the Ngalihaka,then asked who had given authority to make the road at Kahupoki, which is outside the Goldfield boundary, in the Kotokuhu district. Cr Mitchell replied that he knew nothing about it. (It appears that a party under G. S. O'Halloran have been making a passable track to connect with the road now being made by the Ngatirahiri.) Pakara said that such being the case he would give formal notice that he would Eroceed to demolish certain bridges which ad been constructed in that district; Later in the day news was brought in that after the meeting broke up a party of Natives pulled up and burnt three of the creek and swamp crossings near Brown's farm. When is this sort of work to be put an end to? Will the Native Minister allow a mere handful of Natives to ride roughshod over the whole community P It is no use giving them their own way, as for every inch conceded they will; take an ell. Being emboldered by their success, who shall foretell the end P