COROMANDEL MINING. MR WITHEFORD AND THE PREMIER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 289, 11 August 1888, Page 4

COROMANDEL MINING. MR WITHEFORD AND THE PREMIER.

The following is the letter addressed by Mr J. 11. Wibheford to the Premier relative to the shipment of large parcels of Coromandel ore for treatment in Melbourne :—: — Melbourne, August l&t, 1888. Hon. Major Atkinson, Premier of New Zealand. Dear sir, — Notwithstanding the dulness of trade and depres&ion existing in New Zealand, I am of opinion that I can induce a laigc amount of capital — English and Australian — to be invested in New Zealand both in mining operations and in land. I am an Auckland citizen, known to your colleague, the Hon. E. Mitchelson, and am visiting the golclfields of Australia to learn all possible regarding the greatest industry of the age, namely " gold-mining, or goldproduction." 1 believe that the development of the auriferous and other mineral ranges between Auckland and Wellington, will lift the colony of New Zealand out ot its depression. The iir&t and most easily worked goid district is, I consider, Coromandel, the average battery returns from which head the returns of the colonies year after year, if I mistake not. As yet I know of no reefing system here as rich in gold, and of &o permanent a nature, as that of Coromandel — no reef here which equals the Coromandel reef, Thames, that produced over half a million in dividends in a yeav, and lies yet unworked below the 360 feet level. I am now publishing particulars of the mineral wealth of New Zealand in the "Age" and "Argus," and notified I -will supply information as to the rich reeling districts ; but it is a great expense for a single individual to incur in promoting the welfare of the whole colony. I am, however, willing to do still more, and desire the support ot your Government to gi\e substantial evidence of the auriferous character of our reefs by having a ton from several distinct lodes of Coromandel, for which the tributers who are working them require payment in advance. I have arranged with an American exhibitor of mining plants — going concerns — to provide him with a lon fiom each of several rich reefs at Coromandel. During the treatment of such it attracts the notice of mining men, and of the press. The proprietors give certificates of the l-efcurns and exhibit the gold produced. In this way we ahow the great wealth ot our gold districts, only awaiting capital, and benefit by the golden opportunity now afforded of getting capitalists from allpartsof the worid directly interested, and informed as to the richness of New Zealand reefs. By the samples of ore I have and the records with me, I have induced several very influential men from England to decide on remaining in New Zealand for a month (on their way home through America) ; but if se\eral tons of quartz such as 1 have asked for from Coromandel is sent, the tributers have to be paid first for the estimated value, as follows :—: — No. 1 ton, Tokatea quartz, value 33ozs. of gold ; No. 2 ton, Tokatea quartz, value 80ozs. of gold ; No. 3 ton, Royal Oak quaitz, value ISOozs. of gold ; total to be paid for is 293 ounces, meaning an advance of about ,£l,OOO. Against this would be the return of gold, so it practically only means an advance. I will, if necessary, provide .€lOO of it to show my faith in the proposal. I have American gentlemen in San Francisco already inquiring as to the merits of New Zealand reefs, and I am satisfied that tho treatment of large parcels of such valuable quartz would give substantial, convincing proof of the richuess of our gold deposits. lam quite willing to take the trouble and responsibility of carrying this proof of the mineral wealth of New Zealand tlnough, and only ask you to provide a moderate sum for carrying through this attractive item in connection with the exhibits of New Zealand resources, which I venture to think would have a more direct effect than anything else in creating confidence in our colony. The legal manager of the companies mentioned is W. Home, Coromandel. The managing director of these companies is F. Woollams, Esq., Coromandol, another director, H. Bretb, Esq., Star Office, Auckland, either of whom would, I think, lend any aid to further this important movement. Trusting you will at once arrange for this to be done, — I remain, hon. sir, yours faithfully, J. H. Witheford.