PROSPECTING FOR GOLD AT TUHUA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5310, 17 March 1884, Page 2

PROSPECTING FOR GOLD AT TUHUA.

In accordance with the advertisement inserted in our issue on Friday and Saturday, a public meeting was held in the Pier Hotel on Saturday evening, to consider the question of prospecting for gold at Tuhua. There were about 80 present, the room beiug crammed. Amongst those present were— Messrs J. Ballance, Colonel McDonnell, S. H. Drew, W. Russell, G. Hutchison, J. W. Jackson, A. Filmer, J. Currie, H. C. Field, C. A. fylarous, G. Carson, S. H. Manson, Moosemaiv Rees, Mitchell, Lawler, Worgan, ,W« McDonnell, Perry, Thorpe, and Cornfoot.

Mr Ballance having been invited to take the chair, explained the object of the meeting. There had been rumors circulated as to the discovery of gold near Tuhua, but a3 yet there was no certainty with regard to the matter. Respectable natives said that gold had been found, and Major Kemp vouched for the truth and respectability of these natives. Hearing of these rumors, he had communicated with Major Kemp, and the Major came to town, and called on him at the Herald Office, where they had a conversation on the matter and Kemp vouched for the truth of the rumors. Before any steps could be taken in this matter, they mint have the assistance and co-operation of the natives, without it, they could do nothing. The place where the gold was said to be was the most inaccessible, from a native point, of any part of the colony, aa ever since the foundation of the colony it had been locked up by natives identified with the King movements. It was in the endeavor to reach this country that Moffat was killed at the instigation of one of the chiefs, who had warned him against going. These chiefs were now prepared to support, protect, and encourage any properly authenticated prospecting party. Kemp was very enthusiastic about it, but said that though he had sufficient influence to send up a party, he preferred to await the result of the big meeting at Koriniti on the 28th, when the formal assent will be given. Communication had been entered into with the Government some time back, Kemp having sent a message ,to Mr Rolleston, stating that gold had been discovered, he having sent a native to the place where the gold was found. The Government, however, did not take any action in the matter, and it was left there. A few Europeans took the initiative in communicating with Kemp, with the result already stated. The question now was whether a prospecting party should be sent up ? and on this question he would like the opinions of the people of Wanganui. As far as the promoters were concerned, they were against anything in the shape of cliquism — they wanted everything done openly. (Hear, hear). With regard to the prospecting party, his own views were, that a party of 3 or 4 thoroughly reliable men should be sent with an interpreter. The meeting could receive applicacations from men residing in Wanganui and the district, and select the best. The next question was how was the money to be raised ? He considered it best to form a prospecting company with say 100 shares of £5 each, with one pound called up, the remainder to be called up if necessary. The company could be registered, and from 12 to 15 provisional directors elected, with instructions to issue prospectus, and place the thing in the market at once. The prospectors should be the servants of the company ; they should receive a share each paid up, they ought to b • bound that if they found a claim they would look after the interests of the company. If the gold was found on native land, communications would have to be made with the Government, requesting them to send up a commissioner to arrange the terms on which the natives would throw open the goldfield. The question had been raised what good would the discovery of a goldfield do Wanganui. It had been said that the Tuhua was more accessible from Waikao than here, bat he thought Wanganui more likely to absorb the whole of the advantages of this goldfield than any other place. The distance overland is about 100 miles by Field's track to Murimotu, and then across open country, and this would be the nearest route. The distance to Cambridge is also 100 miles, but the road lay through the King Country,' and the country was exceedingly rough. With regard to -the construction of a good road, he believed that Field's track could be made into a good dray road for £20,000. In conclusion, he warned them that there was no certainty about the matter, but these statements had been made ou the authority of the natives. He believed there was gold, and that they were justified in spending a. reasonable amount in examining the country.

Colonel McDonnell stated that some time back he had received a letter from the natives, asking him to visit them. He went as far as Ranana, but owing to a difficulty which had just occurred at Alexandra he did not go further. About two weeks ago he received a letter from the whole of the principal Tuhua chiefs, which had been reprinted in the Herald, It asked him to send word of the year in which his brother went through this country with some other Europeans. He believed that the natives had found gold, and that specimens had been brought as far as Pipiriki. He was sure, from his knowledge of the country at this end and the upper end, that there 'were thousands of acres of quartz, though he could not say whether they contained gold. Kemp had requested that the prospectors be in readiness to start after the meeting on the 28th, and he will assist in every way he can. Mr Field mentioned that thirty years ago specimens were brought down, and people who had been in Australia said that the gold was similar to that found in the Oven's district. Twenty years ago when Charles Vincent had a mill at work a native brought him gold mixed with sand in a small bag, and wanted to know if a machine could not be made to separate the gold from the sand. Others, including Mr Crawford, R.M. at Wellington, Mr John Gortie, and Alexander Bell had found gold. As regares i^he accessibility he thought thai from the end of the Murimotu road, the country was almost level. He had met Roehefort's assistant up there when they were surveying for the railway route, and he said the country was level, there were a few springs which would require bridging. He would be happy, if gold were found, to explore a road line. He estimated the cost of making the present track a good dray road to be £20,000. W. McDonnell stattd that he had travelled the Tuhua in 1870, 1871, and 1872, The best road through from Field's track would be Tai Mor-enui ; the country was bushy, but level, and there would be little difficulty in getting a track. There was a long range at Hukataka and at the Punga Punga,of nothing but immense masses of quartz. He had visited the Thames after seeing this, and the quartz was the same. At Omaka, below Waipari, they had got good gold: Blair, who was with him at the time, had washed out several shovelfuls ef sand, getting specks each time. Blair had arranged to go up again, but difficulties arose, and they could not go. The gold was scaly, aud Blair said it had not travelled far. Mr S. H. Drew mentioned his experiences with Paiaka, a well-known native, who had brought dowu specimens lots of times containing mica and other minerals. About twelve years ago he brought down a lot. Amongst them were two specimens of gold bearing quartz. Paiaka told him that it was impossible to bring the gold down, as it would be risking his life. The quartz was weather worn, and its appearance bore out the man's statement as to the manner in which he found it. They would have to be very careful how they proceeded in the matter, or they would have a rush here, and if there was nothing definitely known, it would be a serious matter.

Mr W. McDonnell said that at a place called Tauri, and at a stream called Hukukato coming from the other side o£ the Wanriver li 3 found quartz reefs, and these places were fully 20 miles from Pungapunga, showing that the extent of country covered bythe quartz was large. Mr Hutchison related several facts gathered by him from papers in his possession belonging to Moffat, whom he. had defended when he was charged with making gunpowder. Moffat believed that gold existed there, and it was in the endeavor to reach it that he lost his life. He (the speaker) believed the discovery of gold would be advantageous not only to Wanganui, but also to the whole coiony.and even if they were not to reap the sole and immediate advantage, it would be their duty to have the country

prospected. The Tuhua was a comparatively short distance from Tokano, a village on Taupo. If the success of the goldfield was dependent on the expenditure of £20,000 for a road, they might wait a long time for it, they should use the road nature had given — the river; If a goldfield was discovered it w,ould conduce large to the prosperity of the Whole colony.

In answer to a question from Mr Drew as to whether loaded canoes could be taken up the river any distance, Colonel McDonnell stated that the 57th Regiment went as far as Pipiriki in canoes. He had been 15 miles up, and beyond that he believed there were two rapids, after which they got into deep water. The Tuhua natives brought their wool down in canoes.

Mr Ballance stated that Mr Adamson, then in the room, said that the distance from here to Tuhua could be done with a pack horse in five days. The distance from Tuhua to Tokano was 60 miles, and from there to Napier 200 miles. From here to Tuhua was about 100 miles.

Mr T. Adamson said he had been over the country, and he gave a description of it. • A pack horse track could be made for £25, which would give a good road all the way. The land he thought belonged to the Ngatimaniapoto, Tuhua belonging to Rewi's people, and they would find some difficulty in getting there. From Ranana by the river it would take from 5 to 6 days to reach Pungapunga, but a good road overland would be a quicker route. ', Mr Manson did not think Moffat a very reliable person to cite, though Moffat believed there was e;old there. Adamson had told him that ho (Adamson) had secured a lot of specimens at different times. Mr Adamscu thought they would not get there at all, as the land was not in the possession of Wanganui natives. Mr Manson agreed that if the land belonged to the Maniapoto natives there might be difficulty, and if there was gold-bearing country it was just likely that it would run into their land, and then their trouble would commence, but he was led^to believe that a large portion of the gold-bearing country belonged to the Wanganui natives. ! Mr Ballance said that Major Kemp had assured him that the gold-bearing country belonged to his people without doubt. Ngatai and Mamumuku were to be at the Koriniti meeting, and if their consent were given that would be sufficient. Colonel McDonnell wa3 satisfied that Major Kemp would carry out his promises, he was not a man of yesterday, they 1 all knew him. Mr Whitworth Russell thought they should have a prospecting party ready for the Koriniti meeting on the 28th. Mr Ballance said their first duty would be the appointment of a committee to draw up resolutions for another meeting. Twelve gentlemen could be elected to consider what ought to be done, and they could submit their opinions at the next meeting.

Colonel McDonnell proposed that a committee be formed, consisting of 18 persons, to decide what should be done, and to submit their resolutions to a meeting to be held next week . Seconded by Mr Brennan, and carried. The following gentlemen were proposed as the committee — Messrs Ballance, Colonel McDonnell, Drew, Hutchison, Filmer, Manson, W. McDonnell, Field, Carson, McMinn, W. Russell, J. W. Jackson, Takarangi, Mete Kingi, R. Major Kemp, Currie, Brennan, Cornfoot, and Weaver, with power to add to their number The meeting was then adjourned till Wednesday evening, when it will be held in the Princess Theatre, gratuitously offered by Mr A. Filmer.