TAURANGA.—PROSPECTING.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 188, 16 May 1872, Page 3

TAURANGA.—PROSPECTING.

By advice of Mr H. T. Clarke, C.C., the services of Hon Ngatai were secured for the purpose of delivering letters from Mr. Clarke to the following chiefs:—Hori Tupaea, Te Kuka, Te Kiarno, and Ngawharau, a transition of which has been published. Hori also undertook to have personal interviews with every important native interested in land where a search for gold was intended, and to urge them to give their consent. He returned this morning (11th), and reported that lie had been favourably received by the Hauhaus, who were quite disposed to grant the required permission. He had even seen Peuetaka, whose consent is considered very valuable, and who spoke favourably of the proposal. However, as the wishes of a good many natives had to be consult d, it was decided to hold a great runanga at Poripori, near Wbakaiuarama, on the following Tuesday, when the matter would be fully discussed. Hori also brought a letter from the natives to Sir Clarke, and this morning a considerable number of natives, including Hori Tupaea, had a long interview with Mr Clarke, the result of which will be made known in proper time. The committee will therefore wait to hear the result of tin's meeting at Poripori befoie dispatching a party. These delays are to be regretted, as the wet season is approaching ; but they are unavoidable, for, without such preliminary arrangements with the native owners of the soil, it is useless to attempt to prospect;. in fnct, the absence of such on foimer occasions caused the attempts to end in failure; and it is well known that Maoris must settl* their matters, in their own way, and in their own time.— D.S. Gross.