GOLD PROSPECTING ON NATIVE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9056, 17 May 1888, Page 3

GOLD PROSPECTING ON NATIVE LAND.

TO THE KDITOU. Sir,—Now that Parliament is sitting, and a new Native Land Bill is to be placed on the Statute Book, I would urge the immediate introduction into that much-needed measure of a special clause providing- for prospecting for gold or other minerals on native lands. The absurdity of our statutes being silent on a subject so material to the development of our mineral wealth, will be as apparent to all concerned as the numberless tricks of the pakeha Maori are known to be, to induce the otherwise well-inten-tioned Maoris to interfere with all such operations for the sole purpose of levying blackmail. Prospecting capitalists will not place themselves in such a position, hence first-class prospects are now lying idle both north and south of Auckland, awaiting some definite protection from Government! Should it be found impracticable to embody such a clause in the Land Act, I respectfully suggest our ehergetio Native Minister bringing in a short Act for this special and important object. The leading features I should suggest for tho benefit and protection of both races should be:—l. A cash bonus for entry on and breaking the surface of, each claim with right to deposit timber, debris, and auriferous earth or stone, such bonus not to exceed £20, up to IQO acres. 2. A royalty of, Bay, 2J per cent, oh the gross yield of gold from each lease, to be paid the Natives through the Government, on the sworn returns of the battery manager, wherever crushed or treated. 3. An addifcjkmal royalty "of % per ceut. to be paid Government for the expense of carrying out the Act, and for

protecting both races. It appears to me to be a kind of special dispensation of Providence, that auriferous lands are as a rule unfit for other occupation. That being so, and our natives being about to part with their lands under the new act in (I have no doubt) large quantities, our far-seeing legislators may see in the present proposal the means of ample provision for the future of the landless Maori.-—I am, &c, May 15, 1888. John C. MoCUusland.