The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3999, 22 October 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1881.

The County Council officials appear to have discovered another mare's nest. A short time ago we had the exaggerated statements regarding the drifting of tbe Waihou punt down the rirer to Ngatihako settlement, which people were straightway charged with stealing the same, although there was not a tittle of evidence to show that they had done so. Now we have a great fuss made on account of a contractor for timber cutting at Waihi being stopped by certain Ngatihako natives. This is at once made into stoppage of battery erection, road works, and what not. What a pity it is that before troubling the Native Minister with questions of this sort, the County Chairman or his imaginative clerk do not first call upon the District Native Officer, in which case possibly they would get information that would deter them from communicating with a Minister upon such matters, and also from parading in the newspaper an account of what they are doing. From what we can learn the obstruction of the natives is solely against the cutting of kauri timber at Waibi, at which place they claim to hare a reserve. All this has been.known by the authorities for some time, and steps had already been taken to meet the difficulty., Instructions bare been issued to summon to the Court all natires who are guilty of obstructing Mr Adams or anyone else in that district. Mr firodie should hare made enquiries at the proper quarter before taking the needless steps he has done. But then these are:election times, and, as we all know, "every little helps." The reference to Tukukino and his late obstruction was entirely uncalled for, as during the last six months the old man has been in his best behaviour,' and deserves praise rather than blame.