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Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3688, 20 October 1880, Page 2

A few days ago in writing of the reported Te Aroha goldfield we referred incidently to the many reports flying about, and urged the acceptance of the same cum grano salts, as they were as likely tojbe false as veracious. If any dependence is to be placed on the news published from the own correspondent of our contemporary something marvellous has been found—iv his own words, " We found gold in masses of stone too large to carry," and again, ♦'From where I sit I can see a reef, and a good 'un. ■'.. . . The stone ivill yield from two to ten ounces per ton for a battery fast, the show in some cases being equal to 200oza per ton." We would hare no occasion to doubt the correspondent of our contemporary if it were not from the conti-adic--7 . — ,/■:' •.■-^.■■".

Tory nature of his former communications on the same subject. On writing on the 4th September last, iv referring to the then newly-reported find at Te Aroha, he says, " As I have prospected this country from Paeroa to Wairere Falls, and have never found a color of gold, I am not at all sanguine." Writing on September 24th he says, " The new goldfield has not yet been discovered, but there is no doubt it will be when it is found," an exceedingly funny piece of meaningless jargon, butevidently intended to back up his former statement. On Oct. 14 he writes as follows :—-" It is reported here by people who profess to know everything that an up-river steamer has brought an ample supply of specimens from Short' land," thereby insinuating that the original prospectors were trying to perpetrate a fraud on the public. That the innuendo is false is evident from the fact that no attempt has been made by the proprietors to dispose of any shares, which, had fraud been intended, would undoubtedly have been done, and easily too, especially in Auckland, as many sensational telegrams appeared. in the Press of that city. So far as we have been able to ascertain, all the prospectors asked for was that all mineral rights should be reserved, and that no auriferous lands should be allowed to fall into the hands of speculators, or be partitioned off as native reserves. We have digressed largely to show that too much credence should not be given to the news published by our contemporary, although of course, like everyone having the interest of the district at heart, we sincerely trust there is a sub stratum of truth in it. The letter is quite sufficient to cause a rush, but we would recommend those who contemplate proceeding to Te Aroha, to wait till more authentic and reliable information is to hand. Indeed, the mere fact of pegging out gives no title until the Government proclamation of the opening: of the district as a goldfield is gazetted.