curl-7.11.0, configure --with-zlib=PATH fails "checking
for inflateEnd in -lz" because it doesn't look in PATH for
library. Impact is HAVE_LIBZ=1 but LIBS is missing -lz so
nothing links.
curl 7.11.0 (powerpc-ibm-aix4.3.3.0) libcurl/7.11.0
OpenSSL/0.9.7c zlib/1.2.1
Protocols: ftp gopher telnet dict ldap http file https ftps
Features: SSL libz NTLM
Logged In: YES
user_id=1110
This is fixed in CVS and recent daily snapshots. You're
welcome to try it and see if it works as supposedly for you!