THE RECENT GOLD DISCOVERIES IN MARLBOROUGH.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1278, 24 April 1878, Page 3

THE RECENT GOLD DISCOVERIES IN MARLBOROUGH.

The ‘’"Marlborough Express” of the 13th inst. publishes the following communication in reference to recent gold discoveries : —During the past few days a small quantity of gold has been shown about Picton, causing some excitement, since it was alleged that the gold had been obtained from quartz reefs said to exist in Blackwood’s Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound, the prospectors having been equipped and despatched from this district, by a party of gentlemen, to test the gold bearing character of the country round Golden Point. No sooner had the locality of the supposed new find been ascertained, than another party was sent from Picton to peg off new claims, and report on the prospects of the new Eldorado. On their arrival at Blackwood’s Bay, the loca!i ! y of the reefs were quickly ascertained. But alas! instead of the “two massive, well-defined reefs,” as reported nothing was to be seen but a couple of bands of miserable looking “country quartz,” traversing the hills at the same pitch, and parallel with the rock strata. This was quite sufficient for any practical quartz-miner, since gold-bearing quartz invariably cuts the rockstrata transversely. But in no wise daunted, party No. 2 had resolved to prove the veracity of party ho. 1. For three long weary days th y toiled and moiled at the new Eldo rado, without ever sighting a single color. Returning disgusted with, the prospect, a new surprise awaited them at the foot of the hill. Secreted in a cosynook, and partly below high-water mark, was discovered what was at first supposed to be the reef found by party No. 1, but it did not take long to dispel the illusion. One of the party happened to be acquainted with the vagaries of a gentleman residing in the classic waters of Endeavor Inlet. Some three or four years since, litigation was proceeding between this gentleman and the proprietors of the Ravenschff mine as to the ownership of Golden Point. Pending a decision in the Warden’s Court, this eccentric individual, to “make hay while the sun shone,” employed Ins leisure in procuring several tons of rich gold bearing apartz from Golden Point, and secreting it in the neighborhood.' Tvyo of these “plants” have already been sprung in Blackwood’s Bay, the first of them by party No. 1, in which a number of our townsfolk are interested. They may now judge for themselves as to whence the quartz and gold exhibited about town were procured, and also as to the present value of their £lO shares. We cannot but sympathise with the enterprising landlord, who is said to have deposited the sura of £2O with the Government for a lease of the’ iilaokwoodifi Bay claim in order to secure to himst-lf (he lion’s share in this delightful “mare’s nest.” A sample of the Gulden Point quartz, containing gold taken from the plant at Blackwood’s Bay, and a specimen of country quartz from the same place, will be forwarded to the “ Express ” office at Blenheim by first opportunity.