KING COUNTRY GOLD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 2, 2 November 1906, Page 2

KING COUNTRY GOLD.

Prospecting Operations. It is currently reported that an Auckland Syndicate is treating for the lease of 16,000 acres, at a rental of sixpence per acre, of the Rangitoto A. block, owned by Te Kuiti Natives. Besides the use of the land the Syndicate is securing prospecting and mining rights over the property. A well known Auckland mining man, who was recently in Te Kuiti, is one of the promoters of the scheme, and the outcome of the operations is awaited with considerable interest. The block is situated to the west of the Mangatutu river, and it is said that good samples of quartz have already been obtained on it For many years rumours of gold-bearing country existing in the King Country have been afloat, and prospecting parties have tried the country in various directions from time to time. Some years back a considerable amount of surface prospecting was done up the Waione stream, a good deal to the south of Rangitoto. The work then was carried out under great difficulties, as no protection was afforded by the Government, and operations had to be conducted very quietly and unknown to the Natives. Excellent prospects of loose gold were obtained in the bed of the stream, and since then good colours have been panned off from the Upper Ongarue river. These experiences, which are well vouched for lend colour. to the oft-repeated statement that the King Country harbours wealth in the rock as well as the soil. Some time must necessarily elapse before anything definite is known of the present undertaking which will no doubt be carried out on systematic lines.