THE WAIKATO GOLDFIELD.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 180, 7 May 1872, Page 3

THE WAIKATO GOLDFIELD.

The D. S. Cross says:—“ We understand that there are now several natives in town who confirm in the most emphatic manner the reports which we have from time to time published respecting the discovery of gold in the southern portion of this province. Some of the natives have seen the nuggets dow in Rewi’s possession,and describe them asof goodsize. They further state that gold has been got occasionally on both sides of the ranges—to the east as well as the westward. They are of opinion tl at there is a large area of ground where such nuggets as Rewi has can be found. As formerly stated, the discovery is not quite a new one, although it is but lately that they have understood the importance of the discovery. Over a period of many years gold has been occasionally picked up in that district,but as the Maoris had no knowledge of the nature of their find, little notice was taken of it. The discovery of gold at the Thames, and the successful operatipns carried on there, have given many Maoris a practical knowledge of these things, of which they were profoundly ignorant before. It is, we understand, through this means that the value of the discovery has first been made known, and an interest in it created. A friendly feeling is springing up even amongst the Kingites, in the prospect of large royalties in the future, but we believe the statement that the Maoris had applied to the Government for a European prospector to examine the country is without foundation in fact. Those who are likely to be best informed on these matters are of opinion that no definite arrangement will be come to until after the meeting of the Governor and the Waikato chiefs.