Page 4 Advertisements Column 2

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2551, 30 July 1867, Page 4

The Thames Gold Fields.— When Taraia, so famous for being the last who held a great cannibal feast, was in Auokland, he was asked about the reports which have been current about the gold found in tho Thames. Taraia is now getting into his dotage, and seemed to be ver^ much excited in speaking about the gold. He is reported by the Cross to have said : — " lam an old man now, and I cannot do what I could in my young days, or I should have turned all evil disposed natives off my lands. lam not answerable for what other natives chooso to do. The pakehas havo been in many casea led astray by hearing roports of gold in many parts of Hauraki. They havo yet to learn much. Many persons have been running about the country in search of gold, but have not succeeded in finding it in any great quantity. I have now come to the conclusion that concealment will only keep me poor now that gold has been found on my land. Therefore, I now divulge tho fact, and I am ready at any time, if called on to verify what I say. I have never been detected in falsehoods. I know fche Maoris have been unwilling to sell the land in Waihou (Thames) and Piako. I went fco the great mooting afc Ohinemuri to hear Te Hira's explanation ,of his conduct towards the pakehas. I told the ' people to allow tho pakehas to look for gold in Waihou and Piako. They appeared discontented, but made no reply. Not long since, some persons mado their way to Hauraki, and were known to be gold-diggers. Tho Maoris turned •'them away. If the Maoris chooso to lot their land lio idle, it is their fault, and not the fault of tho Europeans. I have lived with the Europeans tor many years, and have always been kindly treated. Nobody here in Auckland will interfere with mo. I am in the habit of carrying my taiha through tho streets because I fear, the Maoris, aad not tho pakehas."