The following correspondence has been published in the Wanganui. papers res pecting the existence of gold in the Tuhua district, and the prospects of the opening of the district for European miners :— • " The Hon. Donald M'Lean, Native Minister. — Sir — I have the honor to re- Bpectfully solicit that you will, during your visit to this place, use such means as are compatible with your position towards inducing the Maoris to permit Europeans to prospect the Tuhua country. I may state (that which standsf on the re - cords of the Colony) that I was the first person who pointed out the existence of gold on the West Coast of the Middle Island, and also that the precious metal existed in. the Pelorus, the latter state ment being diametrically opposed to the expressed opinion of Mr J. C. Richmond, the then Provincial Secretary of Nelson, in reply to a letter sent by me to his Government ; nevertheless, my prognos tications were verified. And I would now state that from the geological forma tion of the country round about Tuhua, I have no doubt that vast auriferous de posits await the presence of the miner to change it from a barren wilderness to a busy hive of mining industry. I basfk this opinion upon experience gained upon the Victorian, Otago, and West Coast gold fields, together with an examination of specimens of rocks brought from Tuhua by Captain M'Donnell, and now trust that you will use your influence to that end, which will not only prove beneficial to Wanganui but to the Colony in general, and thereby confer a lasting benefit upon the whole of the community. Apologis ing for having thus troubled you, I am, &c, Samuel Symms." Too many people know Mr Samuel Symms, and they will not wonder that to the above letter, the Hon. the Defence Minister sent the fol lowing brief reply :— <? Sir — In reply to your letter of this date on the subject of prospecting the Tuhua country, I beg to inform you that I am at present in com munication with the leading chief s of that district, who appear well inclined to ad mit mining. Before they can 'definitely give their assent, it wpl be necessary for them to. 