TAURANGA.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 266, 15 August 1872, Page 3

TAURANGA.

PROSPECTING : NATIVES CONSENT. There was quite a crowd of natives in Te Papa on Tuesday, August 6, waiting the conclusion of the Court to communicate with Mr Commissioner Clarke on the subject of prospecting at Knimai, and directly the sitting of the Court was over Mr Clarke sent for them. Several important Hauliau chiefs were of the party. It appeared that their prolonged deliberations and frequent koreros had resulted in a determination on their part to prevent any European party from prospecting at Kaimai, as they feared if they gave the required permission they would incur the displeasure of the King party. Herewini and others spoke to that effect, their remarks being interpreted by Mr Clarke to Mr Morrison, one of the prospecting com mittec. Mr Morrison desired to remind them that the King natives had not only encouraged prospectors at Tuhua, Lut also afforded them every assistance, which they were much surprised to hear Immediately said they would make inquiry, and if they found such to be the case they would have no objection. Mr Clarke recommended Mr Morrison to to take them away and try to arrange the matter with them, which he did ; aud after several hours’ talk they consented that he should go out, offering to furnish him natives as a party. Mr Aiorrison said he must have Europeans with him, and after some demu , they agreed to that, provided that no other party should he despatched. They left for the night apparently iu a very cordial frame of mind, and called again in the morning to repeat their promise, with a caution that they would not answer for what might happen if an unauthorised party might happen to go out. Mr A. Anderson is anxious that the report of his being stopped from prospecting by natives at Kaimai should he contradicted. He states that he never was at Kaimai in his life, and at the time referred to he did not even cross the Wairoa. Upon inquiry, it appears that one day two natives came over the Wairoa to protest to the Commissioner, against any party of Europeans going out prospecting without their consent. But the Commissioner being away, they saw Mr Hopkins Clarke, whom they informed that they did not wish people to prospect without their knowing it. No names were mentioned, and it was a mere surmise on tne part of some that Mr Anderson was one of the parties referred to, ashe had made arrangements to go. He, however, did not start, because a native who was to have accompanied him did not keep his promise to come.—Tauranga correspondent Cross.