TE HIRA AND THE CENSUS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 794, 28 March 1871, Page 2

TE HIRA AND THE CENSUS.

We hear that Te Hira in his vigilance has not limited himself to stopping the mail, but has also stopped the collection of the census. The Thames census district, we may mention, is bounded on the South by a line running over the top of Te Aroha, and ending at Katikati. The policeman who has had the collection of the census in the southern part of the district, and on fie East Coast from Katikati to Mercury Bay, went up to Ohinemuri the other day for the purpose of proceeding across to the East Coast. Te Hira, however, was on the watch, and peremptorily stopped him. The bag containing the census papers was supposed to be a mail—at all events, it was of a suspicious and official-look-ing character, and such treasonablelooking documents could not be allowed to be circulated in the King's country. The constable meanwhile remains -at Ohinemuri, under the surveillance of Te Hira and Mere Kuril, who have impounded the census papers, and are holding ruuangas to investigate their contents. We presume the constable will have to come down the river again, and go over by Hikutaia.—Since the above was written, we learn that the constable returned to Shorthand yesterday afternoon, without having fulfilled his mission.—" Advertiser."