GOLD IN TARANAKI.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2417, 21 September 1868, Page 3

GOLD IN TARANAKI.

Tho Taranaki Herald of Aug. 29 contains the following Some time since we announced that several specimens of quartz, obtained at Urenui, were lying at our office for inspection, and which we remarked at the time were very likely looking. In breaking up some of the pieces, Mr P. Wilson thought he detected the " colour." Accordingly the usual test was applied, and it has been proved without doubt to be the" pure article." The gold is small and scarcely visible with the naked eye, but, with the help of a powerful glass, not only is one speck to be seen, but several others. This is very satisfactory, and it will be encouraging to our prospectors to know that colour has l eeu found in the water-worn quartz picked up on the banks of the Urenui river. It is with sincere pleasure we notice iliat two prospecting parlies have been formed since our last issue, who liavo started for the ranges in the Urenui district. One party has been equipped by subscriptions raised in the

town, and under the leadership of Mr Good mid Mr Wilson Hurstlionse, started on Thursday last at 11 a.m, and who expected to be at the ranges on Monday next, The other party consisted of Messrs I). Atkinson, McLean, Hunt, Percy Bayley, Hillier, Iloby, junior, and Marsh, who have started entirely nt their own expense, having left early last Monday morning. One of this party returned to town on Wednesday, but to all questions put to him he was dumb; however, we understand that some of the party are expected into town during the next week, when perhaps something more may be ascertained. From the direction they have gone in we have no doubt, if the ground is properly prospected, that tliey will discover not only the quartz reefs but alluvial diggings also. The party of which Mr Good and Mr Wilson Hursthouse has the command consists of sevon men who go without pay, but who are found in rations; the Government finding the tools. We mentioned last week tint Mr Good was prevented from going till the spring, but we are happy to say that on the emergency of the matter being represented to him, with that public spirit which Mr Gooil has always been known to possess, In has consented to sacrifice a week of his time, and has gone with the party. Mr W. R. King has been towards the south, somewhere ne;>r the Kaitake ranges, where likely looking quartz was supposed to exist and has brought back with him some fair specimens. He is going to bring in a quantity of the quartz I when it will be crushed and trie;l. We wisli all the parties success in their prospecting, which if successful will not only benefit those who are searching for the gold, but will tend to enrich every individual in the province. The same paper, of Sept. 5, curtains the following:—Two of the pro»pec!i»g party that started first, have come into town, an! from them we learn that Mr Good a>id bis party have been fifteen mi es inland, but that the natives objected to their going any father. Solomon, it seemed, was very obstinate, and would hear no argument, and Mr Good devoted the whole of a night in trying to instil into his mind how the natives at the Thames were being benefited by the gold discovery there. However, Solomon was at last made to understand that after all the gold was extracted the land would still belong to th<w ar.d that they would get high prices for tliei, pigs and other produce besides, whatever sum waa realised from " miners right." We are informed that Solomon's eyes sparkled again on hearing this, and he told Mr Good that he would talk it over with William King; meanwhile he gave permission to the party to go a few miles further inland. Mr McLean states that he could see the auriferous ranges, but that they were only allowed to go as far as the foot of them, and of course could not judge the country; but he waa convinced that, could they go inland thirty miles or so, they would discover what they were searching for.

The party headed by Mr Good and Mr Wilson Hursthouse have altered their course, and are now going to follow up the banks of the Mimi, but we Bhall no doubt hear more particulars of Mem during the ensuing week, Although the Natives have stopped the progress of the party for a short time in one direction, we believe when it becomes known among William King's tribe of the amount of wealth that will get poured into their hands, if a gold-field is discovered, they will throw open the wholeof their land tobe prospected, and offer every facility to Europeans tolookfor gold. We consider the accounts brought in to be very encouraging, and if the place is thoroughly prospected inland, have no doubt success will be the result; meantime, we would call the attention of the public to an advertisement in another column from the prospectiag Committee, in which they solicit further subscriptions to carry out their object, We must not leave a stone unturned; but use our utmost endeavours to keep the prospecting party out. The whole of the country is not to be traversed in a day, nor can we expect the party to go out and lay their hands on the gold at once. We know that the country has every appearance of being auriferous; and if the Provincial Council renew the reward of £IOOO for the discovery of a payable goldfield in this province; cause hills, printed in Maori, stating the same, to be widely circulated amongst the natives, we have little doubt but that they will allow, in a short time, the whole of their land to be thoroughly prospected. Meanwhile, if the party now out continue fossicking along the banks of the rivers and in other places which are likely looking, we have every hope of their success.