OHINEMURI.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3813, 18 March 1881, Page 2

OHINEMURI.

(FBOM A COEBESPONDENT.)

Paeeoa, 17th March, 1881.

The gross proceeds of the late soiree and concert in connection with the Presbyterian Church amounts to the handsome sum or thirty four pounds twelve shillings—£34 12s. At a special meeting of the Church Committee, held on Wednesday evening, a vote of thanks was tendered to the ladies who gave tables or otherwise assisted, and a special vote to the secretary, Mr Robson, for his untiring labours to promote the success of the gathering. The Eev. Mr Dewsbury (Wesleyan) delivered an interesting lecture on the Characteristics of Manhood in the Public Hall on Tuesday the 15th to a very fair audience, who were much pleased with the manner the lecturer treated his subject. At a public meeting held in the public hall last night, at 7.30. Messrs Austin and J. W. Thorp were appointed a deputation to interview the .Native Minister in Auckland or at Thames, and represent the wants of the district which were most urgently needed, and by resolution they were instructed es follows :—The early construction of the Komata road, and the erection of public offices in Paeroa. The deputation were requested to remind ' the Minister of his promise when in Ohinemuri to erect the offices at a cost of £150. The court house is much needed, as our respected E.M. has become so niggardly that the business at Court is now done in a small office at the police station, witnesses and the public having to remain outside either in the broiling sun or drenching rain during the hearing of long and tedious cases when a suitable building (the public hall) can be hired for the day once a month for ten shillings. The Magistrate should see that while the sun's raya cannot penetrate to where he sits in the small office, that all others are equally well cared for.

(j?EOM ANOTHEE COBEESPONDENT.)

Puke-whau, Tuesday. Nicholls and party, proprietors of the Martha claim, are making rapid progress

with the work of extending their low level tunnel, which has now been driven a distance of 70 feet—through an excellent gold-bearing class of country. They expect to reach the hanging wall of the reef about the end of the present week. In the adjoining claim—the Dulcibel— Pollen and party are driving south on the footwall of the lode from which, although no gold is visible in the stone excellent mortar prospects are obtainable. They have about 150 tons of crushing dirt to grass, which they estimate to be worth from 16dwts to loz per toa. Manakau Jones' party of five men are building a substantial wooden shanty, which will be completed this week, and driving upon the reef—l6oo feet of which traverses Manukau's ground—will be next in order. ,

The Maories and their co-workers in iniquity, " Pakeha-Maories " are doing their utmost to retard the progress of this district. During the past week several parties of prospectors hare, from time to time marked off ground, situate three-quarters of a mile east of the prospectors, and upon which they intended starting active operation. Our dusky brethren, however, dogin-the-manger like, pulled up the pegs, and threw them into the nearest swamp, where they also threatened to put the prospectors' should the latter ever agaiu attempt to peg off ground in that locality. Now it is a well known fact that the natives are not doing this of their own accord, but are being incited to do so by certain low whites, alias "PakehaMaories," whose system of operations remind me of a tale I once read, in which the ostrich of Africa figures conspicuously. This gigantic bird, when being hunted conceals its head beneath a tuft of grass, thinking thereby to screen itself from observation, but permit me to inform these gentlemen " that there's a ckiel amang them that's takin' notes and faith he'll prent them."