THE STORY OF BLACK PETER

Dunstan Times, Issue 1240, 4 December 1885, Page 3

THE STORY OF BLACK PETER

l/A." APIPBAIt . .sn •»<§.. f 0 There is a man 'living amongst ns' who may fairly claim to be the Father of Goldmining in New Zealand. Hiis name is Edward Peters, native of Bombay, ' better known, perhaps, as “ Black Peter " by old residents. He was the first man to demon* strata, by actual discovery, „the : existence of payable old workings in Otago ; but he was poor bumble and ignorant,' and did not know how to turn his discoveries to profitable account. Wherefore he has been neglected, and the value of his work has been ignored except by the few who are acquainted with the facts ; and the honours and the rewards that should have been bis have been awa ded to ethers.

Writing in 1858, Mr J T. Thomson, then chief surveyor, says in a foot-note to his Report of the Reconualsance Survey of the South-eastern districts of Otago:— **The best sample of gold yet brought mto town was foufid in .the Tokomsiriro River (south hr inch) This sample indicate* a workable go'dfield." The locality referred to is now known as the Woo’shed Creek, and the finder ’was Black Peter. For this statement I trail the personal a-surance of the late Mr John Hardy, OB » d ' L In 1860 Mr John L. Gillies, when searching for acme vagrant cattle, came upon Black Peter, working for gold in a bend of the Tnapska stream at which is now called Evans' Fiat. His only implements was a tin dish and a eheathxknife, yet he had found the gold. - Mr Gillies staved with him nearly all the day, and himself washed out some pennyweights ot gold with the same simple app'imces. When Mr Gillies returned to Ti'komairiro he took this told with him and subsequently communicate I the Circumstance to Mr Gabriel Read. Mr Read thereupon shouldered his swag and Went prospecting upon the hint thus given. This was in May 1861. He followed the track of Bla k Peter, pursued the stream up to a shepherd's hut on the run they occupied by Messrs Davy and Bowler, crossed over the range, and discovered the auriferous deposits in Gabriels Gully. The shepherd was Mr Mumo, who still resides in the neighbourhood. I have no derire to detract from the credit due to Mi- Reid, but theirgc%n be no question that Black Peter was the original U scoverer both of the Wo dslied -nd . the Tuap ka goldfields. From this start all the gold digging and miring that has akan place in New Z aland, and all the consequent access of tra le and population most on bmbtedly originated., B'a'-k Peter is now old, infirm, and crippled—a confirmed invalid in fact -and unable to tarn sufficient to supply him-s-If with scanty sustenance. His pitiful case was brought under the notice of Mr J C. Brown and myse ! f by a lady resident of Balclutha, where poor Edward Peters is living, or rather starving. A memorial in his behalf, setting forth hia work in the past, and his wants in the present day, was presented to Pailiaraent anti duly considered hy ihe goldfields committee, with the result that a sum of WO was placed on th- Appropriation Act for his benefit, “conditionally on an equal sum being raised by private subscription.” I am now assured by the lady who generously espoused his cause that she is unable ; to collect the insignificant sura n< cessary to secure ■ the Government su-sidy. There fore I appeil to the public, who have so greatly benefi el by the labours of Black Peters, to comn forward and contribute to the fund now being raised in his behalf. The tiine is approaching when tne subsidy wilt lapse. I hope, therefore, it will be remembered that “ those give twice who give quickly.”-,! am, eto., Vincent Ptee. Dunedin November 25. [Subscriptions will he gladly received by the manager of this paper, and duly acknowledged ]