Page 6 Advertisements Column 6

New Zealander, Volume XVII, Issue 1629, 27 November 1861, Page 6

to its discovery the prosperity of fhe country is attributable, and that upon the continuan<i of the yield its future materially depends. Thus, in a country already known to be aa auriferous as any in the world, the Govern, ment offer very heavy rewards for the dis! covery of new' and payable Gold Fields besides granting considerable privileges to the prospectors. The argument for the adoption of a similar course, in a country reputed to be auriferous, is palpable. If gold is discovered in New Zealand in paying quantities, the Government will not lose by rewarding the prospecting pioneers. If gold is not found, no' reward will have to be paid, and consequently no expense incurred by the Government. f*s The merchants also, in Victoria, frequen * unite for the purpose of defraying the expenses of good strong prospecting parties to fields at a great distance from the metropolis. In Auckland, however, there seems to be an unaccountable apathy even on such a subject as the existence of a paying gold field at the very doors. I am of opinion that eventually gold will be found in considerable quantities at Coro mandel for the following reasons:— Ist. The external features of the country are very similar to those exhibited by the most auriferous parts of Victoria, viz., Bak larat, Buninggong, Castlemaine, and Bendigo. 2nd. The geological formations indicate the presence of gold. 3. The specimens seen by me denote the existence of three sorts of gold, obtained in three different modes. One from sand at the bottom of creeks, round, and ehotty. O no from purely, alluvial sinkings, weighty, red gold, And one from quartz, of which there appears to be any quantity. What is wanted therefore? to test the capabilities of the country and developo its resources, is—1. A sufficiency of skilled labour, to prospect thoroughly ; men who have worked for years at the Gobi Fields, and who have reduced Gold Mining to a fixed science : this to be obtained. 2. "By an offer on the part of the Government of such a reward for the discovery of a paying Geld Field, as would make it worth the while of skilled labourers to endeavour to obtain ii. 3. By the cordial co-operation of those most interested in the advancement and colonization of New Zealand—the mcrchanU of Auckland. 4. By an assurance from the Government, that prospectors of the country will not be molested by the Natives in their operations, and that sufficient protection will at all time* be afforded them. When these conditions are fulfilled, I fully believe that Coromaudel is destined at no distant period to take its place amongst the large Gold Fields of the Southern Hemisphere. I have only to add that I shall at all times be most happy to afford any information in my power, with reference to the Gold Fields and the various methods of working them. I have, &c, Walter Charles Bkackexbcbt, Donald McLean, Esq., Chief Commissioner.

Office of Minister for Native Affairs, Auckland, 14th November, 1861. Sir, —With reference to the Report which lias just been received from you of.your proceedings at Coroniandel Harbour, I desire to call your attention to a point on which it is essential there should be no misunderstanding whatever. The agreement entered into with the Natives clearly expresses that European prospectors shall be free to search for gold within specified limits of territory, and that in the event of gold being found in large quantities, the terms of compensation for the regular working of the gold-field shall be settled between the Natives and the Government. But in order that persons who may be disposed to apply capital and labour in the search should be without any anxiety as to the result in the event of their being successful, it is necessary that they be assured, that supposing any digger to lind gold, he will be entitled to remove it, whatever may be the quantity, without hindrance from the Native owners of the soil; and that whatever question of compensation may arise in that case, is to be settled, not between the Natives and the individual diggers, but between the Natives and the Government. You are requested to state whether the agreement just entered into is distinctly understood by the Natives in that sense. I have, &c, Henry Sewell, In the absence of Mr. Mautelh Donald McLean, Esq., Chief Laud Purchase Commissioner. Auckland, 14th November, 1861. Sir,—ln reply to your letter of this day's date, referring to the agreement entered into with the Natives of Coromandel respecting the gold fields, enquiring more particularly whether diggers finding any quantity of gold would be entitled to remove it withoflt hindrance from the Native owners of the soil, I have to state that the Natives who signed the agreement, and who. compose the most numerous and influential proprietors a* Coromandel, have assured me that no obstacle would be thrown in the way of either digging or removing gold off their laud at any vaat, it bciiiir understood by them that, it g? 1 is discovered in considerable quantities, the Government will enter into definite terms with them as to the compensation which they shall receive from the Government. I apprehend no difficulty from tfle Natives, if judiciously managed; theyexpec as owners of the soil, to point out tlieir re - pectivo claims to persons going in searcfl gold ; they also expect a Government ageu f to be stationed there to arrange matters dispute as they arise. , It should, however, be distinctly unu stood, and notified to persons searching gold, that the land known as Taoras at Koputauaki, is not to be interfered *«£ These Claims extend from a place King's mill to Koputauaki, and on tou ngawha, and thence to Arataonga o East side of the range, where »j**»£ land has been given by Taora to■ tlicu z porou tribe of the East Coast. ihc ~ ftt porou tribe ot the jmisi um»»n - vor ft t vations will be pointed out to a surro bc any time by the claimants, and If J t desirable to define the boundaries I have, &C Donald M**** The Honourable . the Minister for Native Afruw.