PROSPECTING IN THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 101, 30 April 1889, Page 3

PROSPECTING IN THE UREWERA COUNTRY.

Mr Locke, of Gisborne, who in .conjunction with others has, on behalf of the Government, been for some time past endeavouring to successfully negotiate with the natives of Urewera country, East Coast, for the opening up of their territory for gold-prospec-iny, has returned from Whakatane, and informs»us tihab at a meeting with the Ureweras lately he had induced them to agree to prospecting,-under certain conditions and provided that.it is conducted under Government supervision.- On his arrival at Whakatane, a short time ago, from Auckland, he arranged with the Ureweraa to meet.him at Kirat'oki, a settlement some 15 miles inland, and a large three-days' meeting was held there on the 15th, 16th, and 17th inst., attended .by a great number of the Urewera chiefs and people. Amongst other representative rangatirag present were Tauiaikowha, Pukenui, Rakuraku, and other chiefs from Mauneapov/hatu, Ruatahuna, Ohiwa, and W'aimana. Only one or two Europeans, including Major Swindley, of Tauranga, were present. Tho result of the discussion was that tho assembled natives drew up a communication to the Native Minister embodying ■ their views, which Mr Locke has forwarded to Mr Mitchelson. They agree to allow the country to be prospected for gold under a. distinct understanding with the Government that no private prospectors are to enter their territory, but only those who are despatched with , a permit from the Government. No prospecting is to be allowed by the natives unless agreed to foyacomtmtteeoftheirloadingchiefs.' The natives objected very strongly to surreptitious.surveying of their land, and told Mr Locke so. Mr Kelly, M.H.R., who was present at the meeting with Mr Locke, urged upon them the desirability of having schools like the adjacent tribes, but the Urewer.is did not appear to be particularly desirous for their introduction or for the acquirement of tho English language by their children. They are well-disposed towards the Government, so long as no underhand dealin«3 are tried with regard to this country. There are indications of payable gold existing in the interior, but so far, the wild mountainous regions where the precious metal is hoped to be found are almost unexplored and have nob been surveyed. It is expected now that steps will betaken by the Government to thoroughly prospect the territory.