THE TIKI.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3763, 19 January 1881, Page 2

THE TIKI.

(SBOM A OOEBBBPONDENT.)

Cobomandeii, Monday.

I have just returned from a visit to the Tiki goldfield, and am better pleased with the prospects than at my last visit. There is little doubt but a good field will yet be found at this place, and in fact I was informed that the gold is not confined to the Tiki, but that many miles towards the Thames, and upon Crown lands, good prospects have been obtained. Several Thames men have been to see the field, and all are pleased with the prospects. The large areas held by some of the parties who first pegged out the ground and secured it from the owners is an obstacle in the way of prospecting, for the proprietors cannot afford either time or money to see the resourses of this area, and of course, others cannot prospect within their boundaries. However, seme first class stone was shown me taken out of Ternahan.s lease, and capital prospects have been obtained in many of the other pieces of ground. The Warden, Mr Kenrick is expected daily, and it is thought tbat he will be able to induce the owners of the ground to allow it to be included in the goldfield. If such is done, a great many of the difficulties at present in the way of the permanent progress of the district will be removed. The ground upon which the principal discoveries have been made belongs to Mrs Macintosh, and while at first she gave leases at the rate of £3 per acre per year, as much as £8 and.£lo is now asked for similar concessions. The land came into the possession of this lady through her first husband, a man named Moore, who, in the early days, built a boat for the natives,.who were unablo to pay him in money and gave him' a block of land instead. The Government,, it is said, have given a Crown grant for the block, but considerable uncertainty exists as to the proper boundaries. Mr James is reported to be tb 1* only person who can throw light upon the matter, and has been telegraphed for to come up and settle the disputes. I shall not be surprised to hear of many Thames men coming down, and while I do not wish to say anything against the Te Aroha, the prospects here are much better than any up the Thames. I am sure also that there is just as good stone to be found in many places between the Thames and Coromandel as any found at; the Tiki, and both in Coromandel proper, and I have little doubt at the ■ Thames to 'a greater extent, there isj plenty of room for prospecting, and good reefs to be found, within a mile or so of the township, as any to be got farther a-field. *

The business people are beginning to take an interest in the new field, and a number of public houses and stores are about to be erected.