THE ALLEGED TREASON AT THE THAMES.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 482, 25 March 1869, Page 2

THE ALLEGED TREASON AT THE THAMES.

Some time ago we copied a paragraph from the Auckland papers, which spoke of treasonable practices on the part of the diggers at the Upper Thames, and which had prevented for the present the opening of the district. From our late files we gather the following further particulars, stated by Mr Mackay to a deputation of miners. Mr Mackay said: —l can state to you that very improper overtures have been made to the natives—and natives in rebellion against the Crown—by Europeans, which has not at all tended to improve the state of affairs at Ohineniuri, or the state of feeling amongst the Hau-hau party to the Grovernment. What I allude to is this: that a certain party, calling themselves the representatives of a certain portion of the digging community, have made the following overtures to the natives. [Mr Mackay here read from his note-book.] First of all, it was said that these people were of a different nation from the English or Scotch, and were of the same people who shot the Queen's son in Australia; that if the Han-haus gave them over the land, they would give £1 per man, a share of the proceeds, and would keep away all other Europeans and assist the natives against the Grovernment. Whilst this was being stated to the natives, another man came up and gave the natives a flag, and that flag was sent to the King's place at Tokangamutu, by a native named John. The same party had certain books, with plates and engravings representing different things that had taken place at home and in the Australian colonies within the last few years. This man had also a suit of uniform and a sash with the letters LB. on it. It is not my business to say where I got this information from. I have got it, however, and if it i» necessary to bring those papers forward to prosecute the individuals I have speken of, they will be forthcoming. Mr Mackay then told the deputation that he believed that those who had acted in this disgraceful manner formed but a small party on the gold-fields, and that he considered them too contemptible to be taken notice of.