OHINEMURI.
(FBOM OVB OWN. COBBESPONDBNT.)
Paeeoa, October 8.
There is very little news worth writing. Farming operations near Paeroa goes on as usual; hands, however, are scarce. All, or nearly all, of the men in the district are under arms, and are drilling twice daily, and are fast becoming—nay, hare already become—very soldier-like. At this evening's drill Mr Kobert Graham* of the Thames, asked lea re of Mr Instructor Grant to address the men of No. 3 Scottish, which he did. He complimented them highly for their proficiency in drill and steadiness in the ranks, and remarked how rapidly they must hare learned in a few weeks. Mr Graham had no doubt this improvement was in a great measure due to their painstaking and energetic Instructor, Lieut. Grant, lie wished the company every success. They bare been very successful in obtaining prizes, although it is not considered advisable to use ammunition at present in prize shooting. Members of No. 3 Scottish and friends have came forward liberally—a five pound note, silver tea and coffee, gents' stock saddle, a young bull, a heifer, and sundry other articles of con^ siderable value have been promised. Some of our struggling settlers are good marksmen, and they will have an opportunity of rearing prize stock in the district if successful in winning the male or female cow.
A few in our midst think it high time rolunteers were discharged and arms stowed away, and let the Ngatihako come in and mix with us again as usual, and we believe this will be so shortly. A great cry has been raised for protection on the ground that the Ngatihako" were reinforcing and pah building. This is not so. They are quite friendly, and have not tne slightest intention of trunsgressing the law further than they have done, and that was to prevent them being robbed of their land. Their mode of stopping tho survey was certainly wrong according to the English law, but in natire custom quite admissible. The Ngatihako, however, had given the native officer warning not to proceed with the surrey. And why should the Lands Purchase Department be so anxious to 8-cure this small and unimportant block when larger and much more valuable blocks adjoining was allowed to go into private hands at last Lands Court P And I am informed Government money had been advanced on the same.
Capitalists have got the best of the land, and the Government enter the field when too late as purchasers to satisfy the people's craving, and the only line of business that can be done is a few hundred acres of hilly country, not fit to support many families, but to the native owners— being their last—it is precious,, hence their objection to it being taken.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS18791009.2.13
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Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3369, 9 October 1879, Page 2
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462OHINEMURI. Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3369, 9 October 1879, Page 2
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