PROSPECTING ASSOCIATION.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 191, 29 July 1896, Page 2

PROSPECTING ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of those fa\orable to the carrying on of prospecting operations in the Kotorua County was held in the Grand Hotel on Friday afternoon last. Mr C. Malfroy was in the chair und there were over 30 persons present. The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called by Mr R. D. Dansey, after consulting with a few friends, for the purpose of obtaining an expression of opinion as to the expediency of forming a Prospecting Association here as had been done in other portions of the district. He, (the Chairman) thought it highly desirable that the neighborhood should be prospected and though there were obstacles in the way not to be met with in other districts (he referred to the difficulties arising from the circumstance

j that much of the land here whs still &.. j tive lands) he considered that if the gJ | vernment were approached permission might be obtained to carry on prospecti ing operations so that any discoveries made might be. To advantage of those risking their in the undertaking He would assist t • the best of his ability in any course that might be agreed upon by those present. Mr Dansey briefly explained his res. son-; for calling the nieeang and was to see so many present. He was not a member of the old prospecting association but Mr Brent, who was present, possibly state what had been d<->ne then Mr Brent said that the old assoctafiog had maintained t prospector in the Horohoro range for over seven months bat toe result had not ?>-en satisfactory. A few specks of gold had been obtained and some specimens of quarts shown stated to contain gold, .mt no proper tests had been made. He did not think the right men had been pot for doing the work and there was also much difficulty with the natives. On one occasion he had gone out with Mr Tlarchesaeau hut tl lf trip was most unsatisfactory. Nothing could be done as the natives followed them up closely, showed much jealousy and made it plain that they did not cure about people prospecting theie unless they could see everything that was done. He was of opinion that there was no use prospecting on native lands unless it was likely that the native title would shortly be extinguished. The specks of pold be spoke of had been obtained below a waterfall. They were not water-worn. He had also seen the holes which Karl and Blanc had sunk. They were about five feet deep and bottomed on a wash dirt of six inches. It was understood that if the natives bad not interfered these might have been made to pay by sluicing. He did not know what gold Karl had got but lie knew he obtained some. Mr Samson stated that previous to the time spoken of by Mr Brent a party had been sent out to Horohoro by Messrs Taylor, Larkin and himself. They brought specimens from there and also from Galatea but there was no certainty regarding the locality from which they had been obtained. They had no proper system of prospecting and the natives watched them closely. Mr Dansey stated that since these days large areas had been purchased by the Government. Mr Samson said that Mr Paul, an expert, had been here three or four months ago and alleged that he had found very likely looking Mone at Wbakarewarewa in a line with the big geyser. He assured him (Mr Samson), it was worth paying attention to and wanted him to combine in prospecting the place. Mr Dansey said that there was some very likely country at the back of Okohiriki which might repay prospecting. He also thought that a change had come over the native mind within the past few years and that they would not meet with the opposition formerly shown. The natives had been prospecting on their own account. The Government had also now acquired a large extent "of the Mango-rewa-Kahoroa country. Mr Brent said that the vicinity of the Horo-horo range had always been regarded with favor by miners. It appeared to be a continuation of the Tbimes range though broken off abruptly. After a short general discussion in the course of which various localities were mentioned as likely to prove auriferous the Chairman stated that from the tone of the meeting it was evident that the majority of those present were in favor of forming a Prospecting Association. This done the working details could be arranged. Mr Dansey proposed that an association be formed to Ih> called the Rotorua Prospecting Association and that those dcsirous of joining give in their names. This was seconded and carried unanii mouslj'. The Chairman stated that the amount of the individual contributions would depend on the number of members and also on the expense of maintaining and equipping the prospectors. If men were obtained from another district and brought to one which, from a geological point of view, was not very promising they would need to offer sufficient inducement. This and other details would be for the committee to arrange. Perhaps Mr Marchesseau who was now in Auckland would render assistance. A committee of seven comprising Messrs Brent, Boulton, Clarke, Dansey, Dowsett, Samson and Watt were chosen to receive the names of subscribers and report at a meeting to take place on Friday night ut 8 o'clock. Eighteen d those present agreed to join the Association. It was suggested that the number of members should be limited to 40 and that the subscription should not exceed 10s per month for six months. A vote of thanks to Mr Malfroy for presiding, and to Mr Boulton for the uie of the room, concluded the proceedings.