THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 183, 10 May 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1872.

We learn from the “ D. S. Cross ” of yesterday that a committee has been formed at Tauranga for the purpose of fitting out and maintaining a prospecting party into the interior, and that the Chairman, Mr D. Graham has written to his Honor the Superintendent requesting to be informed what reward, or consideration, may be expected from the Provincial Government in the event of a payable goldfield being discovered. In reply, the Superintendent says that there is no specific reward for such discovery, but in the event of one being made no doubt the Provincial Government would make some recogui tion of the services of the prospectors, proportioned to the value of the discovery. Most of our readers will remember that, during the term of office of the late Superintendent, a sum of £SOOO was offered for the discovery of

a payable goldfield, of which only a portion was appropriated. We think the present time a very fitting one for the Government again to offer a handsome rewavdfor the like purpose. We have aheady expressed our belief that we are on the verge of an important gold discovery in the Waikato. If matters can only be arranged with the natives, of which there seems much probability, we may expect in a short time the opening up of the Ohinermiri and Waikato country to the prospector, and there can be little doubt of the* existence of gold over a large area of country. The residents around Tauranga are evidently alive to the importance of the occasion, and it speaks well for their energy and enterprise in having started a prospecting party. A handsome reward offered by the Provincial Government would act as an additional stimulus, and as nothing would have to be paid until payable gold was actually obtained, the province could hardly lose much. There was a small sum, if we remember rightly, set apart during last session in aid of prospecting parties, but the sum was so small as to be altogether inadequate. We do not believe there is any direction in which money could be better expended than in a reward for the discovery of additional goldfields. We know what the Thames has done and is still doing for the Province of Auckland, and we can judge, therefore, what a great impetus would be given to her prosperity if her gold resources were still further developed. It is satisfactory to hear an expression of opinion from his Honor that the Provincial Government will probably make some recognition of the services of prospectors, proportioned to the value of the discovery, but we should like to have something more substantial—say a reward of £5,000 —and leave it to a committee of the Council to decide on the merits of the claimants, and also what is to be considered a payable goldfield. The whole of the country, from Coromandel to the Lake country, is known to be highly auriferous, but for many reasons, chiefly amongst them the “ native difficulty,” it has never yet been properly prospected. The back country from Upper Tararu to Kennedy’s Bay has never yet been carefully examined, and as to the Southern Waikato it is all but a “ terra incognita” to the miner. It would be well before winter sets in, if possible, to have something done to confirm the reports which have been lately received of the prospect of another rich goldfield. We believe the offer of such a reward as we have suggested would come most opportunely at the present moment, and that this coupled with a satisfactory arrangement being made with the natives would tend greatly to forward the mining interest generally. The Thames is too well established to be permanently injured by fresh discoveries elsewhere. The probabilities are that if an alluvial field be found, much of the money obtained will be re-invested in this field. We want more capital here, and if wagpu obtain it almost on the spot from our fellow colonists it is better than having to go to Europe for it, although come from whichever quarter it will, it will be acceptable. As we have pointed out in former articles, if we would retain the immigrants which are to be imported here, aud make them useful settlers, beneficial to themselves and the Colony, we must find something for them to do when they gi jthere. A more extended area of goldbearing country would meet most readily what will be required, and would stimulate every branch of industry in the Colony. We hope the Provincial Government will see tit to offer immediately a handsome reward for tne discoveiy of gold at the JVaikato or in any other part of the province.