THE KARAKA GOLDFIELD. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3213, 2 November 1867, Page 5

THE KARAKA GOLDFIELD. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

October 31. It was rumoured in town last night that a prospecting party was being organised to proceed up the river. The pa r ty was to consist of ten men, including an interpreter and a guide. Early this morning, Mr. Mackay instructed the police to inquire into the matter, when it was made known that Mr. A. Edmonds of Auckland, had received » letter from a native chief, inviting him to go projecting with a limited number of men. Before 9 a.m., Mr. Mackay had taken his treasures to prevent this party going away, and had the following notices potted up in two or three of the most conspicuous parts of the township :—: — " None*. " A large area of country to the north of the present block, and some land to the south-eastward thereof, h»i been successfully negotiated for with the natives, and will be thrown open in the course of a few days, as soon as some cultivation and burial-ground reserves can be marked off and notices posted. In the meantime, while all well-disposed miner* are most earnestly requested to keep within the boundaries of the land at p>eient open, all persons found mining on native lands beyond those boundaries, or not being able to satisfactorily account for their presence there, will be arrested. " (Signed) • James Mackay, jun., c • Civil Commissioner. " " Notice. "As the services of about twenty -five persons, to act as special constables, will probably be required within a few days from this time, parsons willing to act in that capacity when called on are requested to ■end jn their names to this office.. ' • "Kate of pay, six (6) shillings per diem, from the day of § wearing in until discharged, Men who have

•erred in the Waikato Militia will have the preference. " Claims of persons serving will be protected. "(Signed) *' James Maokat, Jan., 11 Civil Commissioner." Knowing where Mr. Edmonds conld be found, if he had not already left, I looked him up, and not having gone he informed me that Ng»toru, of the Ngatipaoa, had invited him to cross the Wai-whaka-uranga Creek, "and prospect the ranges and streams as far as the Hikutaia. Certain conditions were stipulated— that when gold was discovered Mr. Edmonds should communicate in the first instance with the natives, and then with Mr. Mackay, who who would be empowered to open the country. In the event of no gold being discovered, the land was not to be opened. Ido not know whether the native bad any authority from the other chiefs to write this letter ; but I do know that during the runanga that took place here, about two months ago, Mr. Mackay had a promise from several leading men of the Ngatipaoa that they would open their land when they saw how the Kauwaeranga field was worked. Mr. Edmonds called upon Mr. Maokay during the day. 1 hare not been able to obtain any information »s to what transpired, but I dare say the Commissioner would not give his sanotion to the party leaving Shortland. November 1. lam told this morning that Mr. Edmonds left during last night. I cannot vouch for the truth of this. One of the oldest settlers in the up-river has come down, and informed me that he heard it was the intention of Te Hira to see his Honor the Superintendent when he visited Ohinemuri. Should he do so it will be the breaking of the ice, and may lead to important results. The • Midge' leaves full of passengers. Mr. A. Levy, ! of the Criterion Ho tel, goes to Auckland with 56 1 ounces of gold from the sluicing claim at the mouth of the Kuranui, 36 ounces of which were procured by mean* of » mortar and pestle, and then washed in a tin dish; 20 ounces have been retorted. The men have still in the tent a large number of specimens, and sent 16 ounces to town about four weeks ago. The total quantity obtained by sluioing by Messrs. Roberts and Cooper may be estimated at 90 ounces in two months' time.