PROSPECTING IN THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 365, 4 May 1889, Page 4

PROSPECTING IN THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

Mil Lockk, of Gisborne, who in conjunction with others has, on behalf of the Government, been for some time past endeavouring to successfully negotiate with the natives of Urevvera country, East Coast, for the opening up of their territory for gold-prospec-ing, has returned from Whakatane, and informs us that at a meeting with the Ureweras lately he had induced them to agree to prospecting under cci tain conditions and provided thifc it is conducted under Government supervision. On his arrival at Whakatane, a shoit time ago, from Auckland, he arranged with the Ureweinb to meet him at Kiratoki, a settlement some 15 miles inland, and a large three-days' meeting was held there on the 15th, 16th, and 17th inst., attended by a great number of tho Urewera chiefs and people. Amongst other representative vangatiraa present were Tamaikowha, Pukenui, Kakuraku, and other chiefs from Maungapowhatu, Ruatahuna, Olnwa, and Waimana. Only one or two Europeans, including Major Swindley, of Tauranga, were present. Tho result of the discussion was that the assembled natives drew up a communication to the Nativo Minister embodying their views, which Mr Locke has forwarded to Mi Mibchelson. Thoy agree to allow the country to be piospected for gold under a distinct understanding with the Government that no private prospectors arc to enter their teiritory, but on'y those who aie despatched with a permit from the Government. JS^o prospecting ito be allowed by tho natives unless agreed to by acommitteeof their leading chiefs. The natives objected very strongiy to surreptitious surveying of their land, and told Mr Locke so. Mr Kelly, M.H.11. , who was present at the meeting with Mr Locke, urged upon them the desirability of ha\ing schools like the adjacent tribes, but the Ureweras did not appear to be particulaily desirous for their introduction or for " tho acquirement of the English language by their children. They are well-disposed towards the Government, so long as no underhand dealings are tried with regard to this country. There are indications of payable gold existing in the interior, but so far, the wild mountanious i-egions where the precious metal is hoped to be found are almost unexplored and have not been surveyed. It is expected now that steps will bt taken by the Government to thoroughly prospect the territory.