THE ASHANTEE GOLDFIELDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4233, 14 October 1874, Page 3

THE ASHANTEE GOLDFIELDS.

Some miners of Victoria seem to have been a little excited by the news lately circulated as to the richness of the Ashantee goldfields. From the Ballarat Star (Victoria), we learn that a person well-known on Ballarat wrote to the Imperial Government as soon as the wonderful auriferous richness of Ashantee was made known, to ascertain what inducements and facilities would be offered to minors proceeding to the Gold Coast, who would introduce powerful machinery for mining purposes, and otherwise open up the country; and by the last mail he received a reply, of which the following is the principal portion : —“ DnwningStrcet, 25th July, 187-1. —Sir, —I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to acknowledge tlie receipt of your letter of the 18th of May, on the subject of mining enterprise in the Gold Coast Protectorate. Inreply to your inquiries, I am to acquaint you that the Grown is not the owner of the soil in any part of the Gold Coast Protectorate, except on the immediate seaboard, and is not, therefore, in a position to make grants of land, or concessions for working it. I am further to observe that Her Majesty’s Government would lie disposed to look favorably upon any well-considered plans for the introduction of capital and commercial enterprise into the Gold Coast Protectorate, and would withhold no- proper or reasonable facilities to that end which it might he in their power to afford. But it is only right that persons contemplating any investment or undertaking within tlie protectorate, should be aware that in the opinion of Her Majesty’s Government, there may be, independently of the risks of climate, many obstacles to the success of such enterprises, as regards the supply of labor, and native rights in land and minerals. Noils it to be forgotten that, in consequence of the recent war, the country is, and for some time to come must remain, unsettled and disturbed. In view of these considerations, Lord Carnarvon cannot take upon himself the responsibility of advising or encouraging, at tlie present time, an enterprise of the nature contemplated.— (Signed) Robert Geo. Herbert.”