The Pioneer of Gold Discovery in Otago.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 18, 16 March 1870, Page 3

The Pioneer of Gold Discovery in Otago.

[Bruce Herald, March %.)

Mr Gabriel Read is popularly known as the first discoverer of gold in the Province of Otago ; but, like many other popular delusions which may for a timu remain unchallenged, such is not the fact, us the following evidenoe will prove, the truth of which can be easily attested, as, with the exception of the late Captain Cargill and Mr Valpy, the parties named still occupy influential positions in our midst. In the course of his many peregrinations throughout the length, and breadth of. Otago, the writer of this article had the good fortune, during the, past year, to meet and enjoy a lengthened personal conversation with Mr John Sinclair, of the Toi Tois, who bad the honour, although he has as yet enjoyed none of the reward or glory, of being the real discoverer of gold in this Province.

The following are the facts, shortly stated :—ln 1853, eight years before Gabriel Read's discovery, Mr Sinclair accompanied Mr Valpy, who was then the holder of the Tuapeka run, in a journey thither, and being a native of Breadalbane (Perthshire), where minerals abound, he has always been in the habit, when travelling, of observiug the nature of the country traversed, and its minerals resources, and all the more so on this occasion that the Australian gold discoveries were creating so much sensation. Having encamped for the night on the banks of the Tuapeka stream, nearly opposite Gabriel's Gully, he awoke early next morning, and, while washing in the stream, observed signs of gold. He then determined again to visit the locality with shovel and tin dish to prospect the ground. Becoming himself the holder of the adjoining Waipori run, during the same year he returned to Tuapeka, and spent two hours digging upon the banks of the Tuapeka river, washing the proceeds roughly in a tin dish ; and observing that gold was present in the soil, he placed the washings in his handkerchief, which he conveyed home to the Waipori station, where the more careful washing process was completed ; the result being 2ozs. lOdwts. of gold dust for his two hours' work. With this prospect he next morning set out for Dunedin, and at once called upon Mr J. H. Harris, whom he requested to accompany him to his Honor the Superintendent (Capt. Cargill), and on obtaining an interview, and exhibiting the prospect (Mr Macandrew also happened to be present in the room) Capt. Cargill at once declared that if the discovery of gold were made known it would ruin the Province for ever, as strangers would rush the country, and carry off the benefits to the ruin of. the settlers. Knowing that Mr Sinclair, whom he accompanie I in the John Wickliffe to Otago, was a Freemason, he strongly urged secrecy, which Mr Sinclair promised, and to which promise he proved faithful throughout. From that time Mr Sinclair continued to prospect various parts of the Province, and having removed to his present station at the Toi Tois, in his occasional trips to Dunedin he continued to prospect likely ground, and discovered more or less gold in every place he tried.

In Mackay's Otago Almanac for 1864, the credit is given to Mr Lizard of being the first to find gold in Otago, but it now appears that daring a visit to Mr Sinclair he was informed of the exact spot where gold would be found, and where, upon his return, he made the discovery. Upon one occasion, in talking of the A ustralian goldfields, a discussion took place upon the existence of gold in Otago, and to the surprise of all present Mr Sinclair undertook to show gold in less than a quarter of an hour ; and going to the crossing-place, at which he had before obtained prospects, he returned within the specified time with several specks of the precious metal. Mr Sinclair informs us that about the time that Gabriel Head claimed the reward, he reminded those in power of his prior claims. He was then invited to a public dinner in Dunedin, but, residing so far from the metropolis, and being so far advanced in years, he declined the honour. Surely it now becomes us as a Province to make Mr Sinclair some tangible presentation, which might be handed down to future generations, in commemoration of his valuable discovery, and faithful adherence to his promise not to reveal the fact.