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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3154, 28 March 1879, Page 2

Oub astute contemporary, the Waikato Times, in its issue of the 20th March, endearours to make capital out of the interference of the Komata obstructionist Tukukino with the road works, by stating that it is feared that his opposition will seriously interfere with the continuance of railway works on the next section to be let on the Thames and Waikato line." Our contemporary plausibly goes on as follows: —"The GoTernment has only to leave the other end of the line alone for a time, and proceed with that portion in connection with which there is no Maori difficulty. The line could be made from the junction with the Auckland-Waikato line to the Waihou, in a comparatively short space of time, and at comparatively small expense, and would include the most profitable portion of the traffic. Such a line would not be long opened, before Tukukino would see the advantages that were being daily lost in the value of his lands and in dealings with the pakeha, and would be the first to come and offer what he now refuses to grant." We never before heard it breathed that there was a fear of Tukukino interfering with the railway works—that old man whose eccentricities have been pandered to, too much already—will, we think, hardly have the temerity to interfere with a large Government contract. As soon as the Native Minister sends old Tukukino his ultimatum we strongly suspect he will collapse. But apart from that, we admire the cool way the Times suggests the suspension of railway works at this end of the line until Hamilton is connected with Waihou. This, although it might admirably suit the wishes of the party who have fought for years to shut out the Thames from railway communication with the rest of the Island, will not at all meet the desires of the Thames people who intend that the railway shall be pushed on from this end till the iron road lies between here and Hamilton.