A VAIN SEARCH FOR GOLD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3430, 25 September 1885, Page 3

A VAIN SEARCH FOR GOLD.

TURNED BACK BY THE NATIVES.

(By Tbleobaph.) Auckland, Sept 24. It will be remembered a gold prospecting association was recently formed at Alexandra, and Thomas Dunn ar.d Charles Barker, oxperionced Thames minors, employed to go into tho King Country m search of the precious nicliil. They left three weeks ago, and returned to Alexandra unsuccessful, the natives having turned them bock, etiying a written permission granted by Government was of no use-. A Wanganui party, which consists of four persons, was similarly trented, and now is at Kihikihi. Ihc natives have not absolutely refutod pormission to prospect, but have stopped the progress of the prospectors until they have had a meeting among thoinaelvcs. One of the Thames party (Uunn) who arrived m town aUtes they proceeded nearly as far as Tokuli from Alexandra, a distnnce of 20 miles, which occupied about a day and a half. After camping, tho purtv wero interviewed by some natives, who insisted upon thoir returning to tho pakohas. Until a meeting was held a return to Whatiwhatoo was agreed upon and carried into effect. No force was used, and Dunn »ays they wcro vory kindly treated by tho nativos. Dunn, who lias hnd 11 yoars oipcrionoo on tho Tharoos, and hns been brought up on a goldflold, enys bo is satisfied tho country through which they travelled is both an alluvial Held and a good reefing country. He believe) (here is (alluvial gold m the b*d of