OHINEMURI.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 808, 2 May 1871, Page 2

OHINEMURI.

The ," News " correspondent writing under date April 17, says : Mr. McLean's impolitic speech in respect to the putting of Te HiraM gaol has come to that gentleman's ear* He is very wroth to think that such a threat should be used by the Government against him, as all the harm he has ever done was the stoppage of the mail, never having once fought agcainst the pakeha, whilst those who are well known

to*oc murderers are not only forgiven their crimes, but are fed and clothed at the Government expense. He cites the case of Paora Tola as one in which the Native Minister would have acted right had he given him a short shrift and a still shorter rope. His astonish, mentnt the treatment such a tangata kin > has received at the hands of those who would deal so harshly with him is something wonderful. He cannot believe that such a paternal Government could ever use sueh a threat against him for simply stopping a man and horse, when they are pardoning murderers. lam afraid, should Mr M'Lean apain attempt the opening of Ohinemuri, that he will find he has done the cause of the pakeha an irreparable injury, as Te Hira will never come to anything like opening terms with a person who threatens him with imprisonment. Since the submission of Paora Toki, and the handing over of the revolver, he has mounted her Majesty's colours; he flies the Union Jack every Sunday. It has the appearance of be.ng new— I suppose a present from Mr McLean, to act as a bait to catch other men of a like character.