THE TE AROHA GOLDFIELD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3950, 15 December 1880, Page 3

THE TE AROHA GOLDFIELD.

[By Telhgbaph.J

GRAHAMSTOWN, Dec. 14. Mr Warden Kenrick's first report on the Te Aroha Goldfields is as follows :— " After stating the circumi-tances in connection with the openiDg, he says that the arrangement previously made enabled him to decide upon the ground at one.} the question re pegging out on tho first day. He found that about 60 men's ground wai disputed by 300 men, all having equal rights ; but both time and patience, with tho good sens : of the disputants, enabled him to Fettle tho disputes out of Court. Twenty Natives took out miners' rights on the day of tho opening. Others were at first dissatisfied with the arrangements re the opr-ning, but they voluntarily signed the agreement." In respeot of the prospects of the field, the Warden says.— "My opinion, produced on an examination made by myself and Mr Wilson, Under- Viewer of Mines at the Thames, of some thirty claims, is that a permanent goldfield has been opened, which will prove to be very large. The extent is not confined within the present boundaries. I have spoken with more than eighty miners, and all coincide with me in thinking the indication is a most promising one. One re.l is situated about 2\ miles north of tho prospector's, and Dixon's is about the came distance south. I havo la', en advantage of lho i.c. v ic^uLlijii lj lvfusj proicuUoii, thus compelling the claims to be fully manned and worked. Some dissatisfaction existed at firsfc, bufc fche advantages were at once apparent, in having the claims proved before calling the outside public to invest any money. Tho leader in the prospector's claim continues to chow well, and has been followed 22 inches in solid ground. The township there is laid off on a piece of ground owned by a Naive chief, which is well situated as a mining centre, being accessible by river and road. " In conclusion, I again express the opinion I have formed, that in tke Te Aroha district wo have a valuablo permanent goldfield, but one that requires time, monoy, and a good deal of prospecting to develop fully. The discovery already made should justify all three being brought prominently forward, as the danger to be guarded against is overspeculation. With bond fide work, the future of the district is assured, and I can only trust that in any future report I may be able to endorse from actual results the favourable opinion I now hold of the field. I would now point oufc the necessity of warning men thinking of coming to this district, tbat there is but little demand afc present for labour, and that it requires both time and money to develop even those discoveries, and at present there appears no prospect of an alluvial field being found. " Habbt Ren-rick, Warden. "To the Hon the Minister for Justice, Wellington."