GOLD PROSPECTING IN WELLINGTON.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 540, 3 July 1869, Page 4

GOLD PROSPECTING IN WELLINGTON.

(From the Independent, June 19. ) A large and very influential public. meejj-: ing was held at the Athenreum, on Thursday afternoon, to consider the best steps, to be taken for developing the mineral wealth which is very generally believed to exist in the province of Wellington. Specimens of quartz and gold from the district of Terawiti were submitted for public inspection, and the belief seemed prevalent that the Makara district, which abounds in quartz reefs, is also auriferous. After 30ms desultory conversation, the chair was taken by W. B. Rhodes, Esq., who explained the object for which the meeting had been called. It was his firm belief that a gold field existed in the neighborhood of Wellington, and that it | only required the efforts of the people to develop it. The rich gold reefs of the j Thames district had been suspected to exist for many years previous to their recent actual discovery. He did not require to point out how the working of those mines of wealth had raised Auckland from a condition of absolute prostration to one of almost unexampled prosperity ; and he (Mr Rhodes) wished to give the people an opportunity of determining at that meeting whether a payable gold field under similar conditions could not surround us, and even be within our immediate reach. He would call upon Mr George Hunter to address the meeting. Mr Hunter, on rising, stated that his attention had been called to the undoubted existence of gold near this city so far back as 1862— but little had been actually done in the way of exertions made to discover it in payable quantities. The Provincial Council had granted a sum of money, which with subscriptions raised elsewhere, amounted to L2B7 — but expended without avail. He trusted that some efforts would be made to develop the quartz reefs, now known to exist in the province. Mr E. Owen said that he himself had been out to Terawiti for a few weeks, with four others, on a prospectingtour. They had found gold in small quantities, and he trusted that by combined effort, the people might yet find a payable gold field. Mr Liardet begged to say that gold had frequently been fuund in "poverty quartz," that the opinion of judges were not immaculate. Messrs Hart and Johnston next spoke upon the subject, and in the same hopeful strain, and Mr Evans stated that he had discovered a quartz reef, about six feet wide, near Makara. Mr M'Kenzie read a letter from Mr Ledger, now on the Thames. That letter suggested the propriety of a few tons of Wellington district quartz being forwarded to the writer for crushing, and testing its worth. Mr M'Kenzie thought the idea was a very good and kind one. MrHunterstatedthatoneof the Bank managers intended introducing a Berdan machine on an early day. Mr Owen suggested that the most practical way to go to work would be to form a committee to raise subscriptions for developing any existing gold field, and this being placed as a motion was passed unanimously. After a vote of thanks had been given to the Chairman and Mr Hunter, the meeting closed. Yesterday morning a party of six gentlemen proceeded to Makara for the purpose of seeing what steps had been taken, and what advancement made by the party of miners now prospecting for auriferous quartz reefs in that locality. The conveyance took the excursionists as far as No. 11 section, South Makara, where a son of Mr Seivas kindly guided the party to the locality of the works — the road being up precipitous hills, and through dense bush. The miners were found at work, and the shaft and drive into the mountain top were descended. The reef is not yet altogether uncovered, but it is supposed that they have reached it at tliree feet wide, and it looks very well. The men are down eighteen feet, have all the necessary tools, windlass, tent, &c, of the genuine digger, and seemed strong, hardy, hopeful fellows, at present independent of all aid. The excursionists inform us that when on the top of the mountain, the prospect of sea and land was truly majestic. The Otorong valley on the one hand and Omari valley on the other formed a magnificent picture, while to the southward the sea opened out like a sheet of silver, and Cook's Strait looked only like some mighty river rooling at their feet. The Kaikonra snow clad summits, the Straits islands, and the distant Wairau valley, upon which dwelling houses could be distinctly noticed, made up a panorama so gorgeous that it will not readily be forgotten. Our excursionists after visiting No. 15 section (which also abounds with quartz on every side) returned to town last evening after spending a very tiresome but at the same time a very delightful day.