THE MAIL AND THE NATIVES.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 832, 1 July 1871, Page 2

THE MAIL AND THE NATIVES.

The correspondent of the Thames "Advertiser *' writes from Ohinemuri: —" Since the late great meeting all hands have settled down into their usual idle state. The quantity of Maori stores that were devoured at the gathering is beginning to have the effect of makine the munificent donors look round for the means of replenishing their winter supplies. A number of the men have commenced gumhunting, but as yet they have not been very successful, all the ground in the immediate vicinity having been run over several times before. There is

any quantity of gum in the bush aboubV half a day's march from this, but MpV Maori will exhaust every probable' scheme to get the means of existing before he tackles anything like hard work. I suppose we may now consider the great farce played out, at least in so far as the carrying on of the service is concerned, but there is still one of the acts which will require to, be brought forward again. Whilst the mail smuggling was being carried on, one of the men was " stuck up," and tho mail taken from him, which the Maori highwaymen still retain possession of. Mr Puckey has written to Eopata, asking him to get the delinquents to disgorge their booty, and says that on their failing to do so strong measures will be resorted to, and there are various sums of money and letters of. importance in the bag. Te Hira and Mere Kuru are anxious that it should be given up, but the Kiriwera who took the bag, and still have it, say they will still stick to it until they are satisfied that no more attempts will be made to carry the mail. The issue of the whole affair will be, the Government will give the certificate required, thereby acknowledging the Maori King's supremacy, and the natives will give up the mail.