Gold Prospecting.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 166, 16 January 1896, Page 2

Gold Prospecting.

Iu a local of ours a few days ago, it was stated that a Levin resident, while sinking a well, had come across a strata of blue clay and discovered indications of gold. The statement has not been credited, but since then a couple of old miners from Victoria have been spending a day or two in Shannon, and being favorably impressed with the formation of the country, and its position as regards the rich finds of the West Coast of the South Island, they were sure that gold could be found on this coast. In company with a resident they went for a day’s excursion from Shannon, and although it may sound improbable to many, they did find some good colors, and are sure from the indications that gold will yet be found in payable quantities in the ranges. The two miners were of opinion that as the ranges are right between the goldfields in tbe Sonth Island and those of the North they would some day carry a mining population. From time to time reports are spread of stone being found with small specks of gold in it, and now that two strangers—men used to mining—have reported the same, it is to be hoped that prospecting will be carried out. In the basin of the Otauru creek colors can be found, but of course the creek cannot be the basis to work from. The spurs that the rain and wind of centuries have stripped of natural soil are tbe real places to look for the precious metal, but at the same time the basins of the Tokomaru, Ohau, and Otaki riveA should be worth prospectin g.—Farmer.