THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3477, 16 February 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1880.

We have expressed our approval of the steps that have already been taken by the Borough and County authorities in the matter of acquiring the freehold of the goldfield, which wh!le enabling portions of it. to bo thrown oppn for settlement under the Homestead Act, .wiH remove many of the disadvantages under which the local authorities labor, from the peculiar position of the greater portion of the district. While these steps are being taken there is another matter to which" we wish to direct the attention of the local authorities, and'that is, the desirability of having some alteration made in the agreement made with the natives when the field was first opened as a goldfield. So anxious were the authorities to have the right to mine acquired from the natives that in the agreement only provision was made for mining for gold; either the shortsightedness of Mr Mackay and those working with him, or ignorance of the presence of other minerals on the peninsula prevented him from having such, clauses made in the agreement that mining operations for other minerals than gold might be carried on. That it was a serious mistake all will admit, and that persons arc not at liberty to disturb the surface or mine for anything else than gold, the success of the late action of the natives against O'Brien and parly for removing earth for reclamation works, amply proves. In fact, quarrying for stone, mining for silver, lead, or taking any materials off the land other than in the search for gold is a breach of the agreement. It is unnecessary for hs to point out how such power in the hands of the natives may affect the future of the district, »nd unless some security is given to prospectors, or other persons desirous of developing the wonderful mineral resources of this peninsula, but I'ttle in that direction w?U be undertaken. The local authorities should at once represent the matter to, the Government, and instructions should be given to the Native Department to have such alterations made in the original agreement as would remove the power in the bends of the natives or their pakeha advisers to levy a tax upon any industry that may be established, or any steps that may be taken to develop the resources of the district. , .