IMPORTANT FROM OHINEMURI.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 878, 24 October 1871, Page 3

IMPORTANT FROM OHINEMURI.

THE DISTRICT TO BE THROWN OPEN FOR DIGGERS, '(From Correspondent of "Southern •Cross") ~ , October 12. We have had Messrs Mackay and Puckey up here tor several days trying to arrange matters about the mail and telegraph routes. They left in a great hurry yesterday on their return to Shortland, after having settled after a fashion the above questions by obtaining the'eousent of Te Moanauui to •carry the telegraph line and mail alonothe East Coast from Katakitaki and to cross the ranges, to come in at Hikutaia, on this side. A world of palaver and bother was expended over the negotiations, which, after all said and done, have resulted in nothing to boast about, for the line is likely to prove a bad one every way, being long and exposed, and will prove expensive to construct and maintain. In saying that the above arrangement is complete, I am perhaps going a little beyond the truth. Complications have already arisen: for it seems that the natives who own the land were not consulted in the matter, And, in consequence are in high dudgeon at the slight put upon them. They are making common cause to obtain utu with others, and have resolved to appose Te Moananui and his .section, and now; talk of nothing less than throwing the whole of the Upper Thames country open to Europeans. This is absolutely decided upon. Tou may rely on the information being correct. A letter goes to Mr Mackay by this mail to recall hinl for the purpose of carrying out the arrangement. The country is to be opened for gold-diggers.