TAURANGA: GOLD PROSPECTING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 173, 29 April 1872, Page 3

TAURANGA: GOLD PROSPECTING.

There was on Friday evening, April 19, a large meeting in the Tauranga Hotel of subscribers to the fund for prospecting at Kaimai, or elsewhere in the district. Mr D. Graham was unanimously voted to the chair. There were 13 substantial sub scribcrs to the fund, and two more were added at the meeting.—The Secretary pro tern, informed the meeting that he had waited on Mi Commissioner Clarke, who stated that no opposition from the natives might be apprehended. Mr Clarke had also furnished the names of three natives, the co-operation of one of whom he recommended should he secured. —A committee was elected, consisting of Messrs Graham, Harrison, McDonald, Maxwell, and Bodell, who were requested to wait on Mr Clarke the following morning.—On the motion of Mr Harrison, seconded by Mr Bodell, Mr Little was appointed secretary to the Association. — A deputation, composed of Messrs D. Graham, J. 11. Harrison, R. McDonald, and James Bodell, accompanied by the secretary to the Prospecting Association, on Monday,April 22, waited on Mr Commissioner Clarke. Mr Graham, as chairman of the committee opened the proceedings, and stated the object of the association, as already reported.—Mr Clarke saul that as far as the Government was concerned there could be no difficulty. The only fear was from a danger that the peace might he broken. —Mr Graham suggested that an explanatory letter to the natives from Mr Clarice might remove objections on their part. All that the prospectors wanted was specimens, so that when gold was discovered it would belong to the natives, and the Government might take such action with regard to the field as they thought proper. —Mr Clarke observed that such Was the only way in which it could be done. He would do all he could to further the views of the association, and he regretted that previous attempts had not been characterised by similar precaution. About six weeks ago, a party of natives from Patatere came to Tauranga, for the purpose of requesting that prospecting parties might not go out without permission from them. The idea, he believed, had come from the Thames, where a report had been circulated that such an intention existed. Ilori Tupaea was very indignant at their interference. If the deputation would give him (Mr Clarke) what they wanted in writing, 1 3 would get it converted into Maori, then communicate with the Hon. Air McLean, and afterwards with the natives. —Air Harrison assured Mr Clarke that, at a preliminary meeting of the Association, it was agreed that if they could not get the consent of the natives they would not attempt to prospect at all. —Mr McDonald considered they were pledged to avoid anything like a breach of the peace, or action in opposition to the wishes of the natives. —The following is a translation of correspondence with the native chiefs which has taken place “ Te Papa, Apnl 24, 1872. —To the Ngaiteiwngia, to the Raukawa : to the men dwelling at Kaimai: Salutations to you. This is my word to you : -Allow my men, two or three in number, to go upon your lauds to s .arch for and to dig for gold. If they should find it they will show it to you. Some pieces they will bring to me, to see it with mine own eyes. All I desire is to know whether gold exists upon your lands or not, therefore it is that my men now go to search. If it should be that gold does exist upon your lands, it will be for you to think of its being worked. The best way will be for the Government to make arrangements with vou, and also to appoint a protector or commissioner for you, if you are willing to allow the goldfield to be worked, so that monev may be collected for you. 1 hose words are good—words of love to you. If there is no gold my men will only have to come back, and you will remain, poor | fellows, upon your lands which have no I riches. This is all. —From your loving friend, David Graham.— The names of my friends here at To Papa who are sending out these men to search for gold are : —Messrs McDonald, Bodell, Maxwell, Harrison, and myself, Chairman of Committee.'' — Cross.

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND.

The twenty-first half-yearly meeting was held at the head office, Auckland, on Wednesday, Thomas Russell, Esq., the President, occupying the chair. The Inspector read the advertisement convening the meeting, also the minutes of the last half-yearly meeting, and the following “Twenty-first Retort of the Directors of the Bank of New Zealand, to the half-yearly general meeting of the proprietors, held at the Banking-house, Auckland, on Wednesday, the 24th day of April, 1872. “ The Directors congratulate shareholders on the continued success attending the Bank’s operations.

“ Tlie dividend and bonus will be payable at Head Office, Auckland, to-morrow, the 25tli April, and at branches on receipt of advice. “ For the Board of Directors. “ Thomas Russell, “ President.” AGGREGATE BALANCE - SHEET OF THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. At March 31, 1872. including London Office Balances at 31st December, 1871.

£IBO.OOO 0 0 Audited. W. T. TAYLOR, C. J. STONE. The Chairman, after a few remarks on tho generally satisfactory condition of business in the Colony, and the position of the Bank, as shown in the statements now presented, moved the adoption of the report. This was seconded by the Hon. Charles John .Taylor, and carried unanimously.—The only other business was the election of a director, in the room of Sir J. T. McKclvie, resigned. The Hon. Jas. Williamson, being the only proprietor who had given the necessary notice, was declared duly elected. The proceedings were closed by a vote of thanks to the c.ircctors and officers of the Bank, moved by Sir J. Logan Campbell, and seconded by Sir P. Disrnan.

iC s. d. The net profit at Hist. March, after making provision for every dependency known to be bad or doubtful, and for usual appropriations in reduction of bank premises and furniture accounts, am mnts to - - - 41,905 <1 1 To which has to lie added— Balance of undivided profit at 30th September, 1871 7,001 13 8 Making a total available for division of 32,000 3 0 The following appropriation of which i is now recommended :— ;C s. d. To payment of dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum - 30,000 0 0 To bonus of 5s per share, equal to £5 per cent. per annum - 15,000 0 0 To balance carried to profit and loss new account 7,C00 3 0 52,000 3 0

Dr £ s. d. Bank Stock - - 000,000 0 0 Deserve fund - - 180.000 0 0 Notes in circulation - 1152,117 0 0 Bills in circulation - - 098.100 1 7 Deposits and other liabilities 2,593,820 10 8 Balance of profit and loss account at liotli September, 1871 - - - 7.001 13 S Net profit for half-year - 41,995 9 1 £1.177,012 15 3 Cr £ s. d. Coin and cash balances - 395,259 7 11 Bullion on hand and in trausitu ... 368.783 I 4 Government securities - 399,031 16 o Notes and bills of other banks 3.322 1 0 Landed property - - 22,71 0 8 4 Bank premises, furniture and stationery - - 71.001 6 9 Insurance account - - 4.111 15 2 Bills receivable, bills discounted, and other debts due to the Bank - - 3,209.070 15 0 £1,177,012 15 3 Bank 2 Profit and Loss Account. & S. d. To dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum - 30,000 0 0 To Bonus of 5s per share, equal to 5 per cent, per aniiiim - l.*>,000 0 0 To Balance carried to profit and loss new account - 7,000 3 0 £52,600 3 0 £ s d By balance of profit at 30th September, 1871 - 7,601 13 8 By net profit for half, .after writing off bad debts - 41,995 9 1 £52,600 3 0 BiEservu Fund. £ s d To balance - - - 180,000 0 0 £180.000 0 0 r, s. d. By balance from last statemeat ... 180,000 0 0