THE ROW AT THE PROSPECTORS' CLAIM, OHINEMURI.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 247, 25 March 1875, Page 3

THE ROW AT THE PROSPECTORS' CLAIM, OHINEMURI.

We have received from a miner who was present an account of the row wlich took place on Saturday last at the prospectors' claim, which, if correct, would seem to shew that it was of a more serious character than would be inferred from the accounts previously published (says the Thames Advertiser). A number of the men assembled at Ohinemuri conceive that they have a right to demand that those to whom have been awarded the prospectors' claim should show gold instanter, and those who were the most violent in calling out for vengeance seem to have directed their efforts specially against Mr J. W. Thorpe. Now, we will venture to affirm that no man can say that he has been induced to go to Ohinemuri by any representations on the part of Mr Thorpe. We feel sure also that the very men who were the most prominent in those disgraceful proceedings had talked more about Ohinemuri and had done more to induoe others to come than Mr Thorpe or any of the prospectors. We think that the police ought to have been on the ground at the first, so as to have prevented the violence shown. Our informant states that, after the decision was given, several hundred men followed Messrs Thorpe, Arnold, Coleman, Smith, James Beeche, Quinn, and others of the party who had obtained the ground, over to the reserve. When they got on the ground the crowd demanded to know where the prospectors got the gold. Mr Thorpe said that if they gave them time they would prove where they got it, but that the winze was now full of water, and they could not see it until it was drained. They would have to give him time to put in a tunnel, and when the winze was drained he would show them. Some of the mob then said, "You b loafers, you have no gold. We will clip you." About a dozen or twenty, who acted as ringleaders, tried to excite the others to rush the prospectors. Mr Thorpe then said that if they did not clear off the claim, and give them a chance, he would get fifty Maoris to put them off. He had no sooner said that than some one—who ought to be severely punished—knocked Mr Thorpe down. Mr Beeche and Mr Quinn, who were lower dcwn, rushed to Mr Thorpe's assistance. Some of the mob were threatening to attack them with their picks; but the more peaceably inclined, comprising the great majority, persuaded them to give them a chance. Mr Beeche and Mr Quinn then got Mr Thorpe away. The constables then came up. About a dozen men tried to excite the others to rush the prospectors after the constables were on the ground, and one man showed a pair of scissors which he had for the purpose of cropping them. During the row and the threats Mr Arnold waß very cool, while Mr Beeche said they were cowards, that if they had to fight man to man they would not be so bold as now when they were a hundred to one. When the row was over, some of the mob went on to the spur of the hill, and rolled down a rock as large as three or four men could turn over, evidently intending to crush Mr Thorpe or some of his party.