PROSPECTING IN THE KING COUNTRY. The Prospectors Turned Back.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2064, 29 September 1885, Page 2

PROSPECTING IN THE KING COUNTRY. The Prospectors Turned Back.

Tkk piospcctois engaged by tlio Punngia Mineral Association h.i\o (wiites 0111 Ale\andia coi respondent) li.ul to ictmii. The> vveie met near W.utom.i hy a coiisidoiable number of natives, and their biisiiK'ss enquired into. Old Apoio, the native who cloaiod oil 1 Mr (ioist and his printing ofH'-c yeais ago at To Awamutu, was one i>f tin* principal men among them. A moetinj,' vva<4 held, and •icoiisidci able amount of talk ensued, but the piospectois weie not allowed to pioceod. Taonui w.is piesent, but took no part in the meeting. The piospcctois \ven % hospitably unteitamrd, ami Apoio vvioto a lottt'i* to Mr Wilkinson, the (!ovpiinnent agent heie, e\ - pl. lining the roason of their niteifeience. They say Walianui wont down to transact ceitim business with the < Jov eminent- , nnrl until }ie return-, no piospucting sli.iH bs allowed. They also think that tlio permit fiom Mr liallancu to prospoct on natno land is not sufKcient foi them. Thoy way W.ihanui whould al>o ha\e been asked to liavo signed, so that they would know the peiuil-sion met with that chief's approval. Wahanui is expected lipio daily, so until he anives nothing can be done in tho matter.