WELLINGTON.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 584, 8 June 1868, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

(■Wellington Independent, 2nd June.) THE ALLEGED WAIRARAPA GOLD DISCOVERIES. The caution which we gave our readers on Saturday relative to the telegram about the Wairarapa gold-bearing quartz reef, lias been since more than justified by the tenor of Mr Grove’s report. The sensational character of the telegram is by no means justified by the tenor of the report. From that document, vve learn that Mr Grove left Masterton on May Bth, accompanied by two men, and on t lie 12th struck on to the Muugflurako, four miles from its source. He then prospected the beaches without success, and on May lUth prospected the caps and casing of the large reef the Ruamahuuga. On the result of this Mr Grove writes : —The reef is cut by the river about thirty feet deep, and measures about forty feet in width on one side, and twenty on the other. We could not obtain any gold at that spot. We tried the same reef about half a mile south, the cap about sixty feet wide ; raised the color from some sort of pipeclay, slate, and rubble ou the western dip; took a sample of the stone —which I believe to be goldbearing—for transmission to Dr Hector for his opinion. It is very thickly impregnated with seams of mica, ami in fact looks as likely quartz for gold as ever I have seen. Westwood went to the top of the mountain to choose a leading spar for our next route on the western water shed. We are united in the opinion that this large reef would require two or three month’s prospecting before a prqper opinion could be risked upon its value! it is evidenlly a main reef, and worthy the attention of reefers possessed of means to test it.

i On Slay 21st tlie party started at daylight and arrived at. a creek they fancied to be a branch of the Ohau. On the 22nd the creek was prospected and the color raised in many places. “ Then,” writes Sir Grove, “ our hopes slightly revived. Westwood prospected another branch about a mile and a ua.ii further north, and also got three or four specs to the dish. He commenced a shalt which Thomas and he agreed to bottom if possible. We fancy we are about twelve miles from the Slanawatu gorge, where we intend to purchase our supplies in future, of which we have only four days supply,” On the 23rd Slay Sir Grove left for Slasterton, which he duly reached. From thence he has forwarded the following report to his Honor the Superintendent : Grcytown, May 30, ISSS. To his Honor the Superintendent of the Province of Wellington. Homobed &ie, —I beg to refer you to my report sent to the Secretary of Gold

Prospecting Committee in this place, last Tuesday. I cannot account for the excit able telegrams published in the town papers, as I sent neither. In my report I may have undervalued the discoveries I and party have made. Until I am thoroughly satisfied myself, I studiously avoid rash expressions. My party returned to Masterton last Wednesday, a?, usual tn cat nr>. hulansfi of our small means in uncertainty f>'t"rc aid. The local secretary, Mr Grigg, informs me he made application to you for ad equivalent to the amount collected here,! and that you preferred hearing from me before granting such. I have to inform you that the people here have paid £25 some odd shillings, to the treasurer, Mr Bannister, in various instalments, since the beginning of January last, and that the telegrams which I received in town before starting has turned out to be £lO less than stated, BIS ol the £25 having been incurred long since. You will observe that I have only received about ss. per week for each man as local aid. I won’t trouble myself any more with them, and as the expense of maintaining men idle and in a state of uncertainty is great, I trust that you will inform me by telegram, on receipt of this, whether or not your Government are disposed to grant me further aid, and to what extent. If yon do grant me further aid, please send me cheques of £2 each, as they will suit better than cash in pocket for mo in my travels. —I have, &c. Daniel Grove.

FIRING FOR CAPTAIN BENSON’S RIFLE. Sometime ago we announced that Captain H. B. Benson, with the desire of fostering and encouraging the volunteer movement had presented a Lancaster rille to be competed for by the volunteers in the Wellington district. After considerable argument amongst the several companies it was arranged that the firing for the vain able prize should take place on Saturday, the 30th May. Accordingly, on that day the volunteers met at the Adelaide Road butts, and the competitors mustered in force. Two targets had been erected, and the whole of the arrangements, thanks to the exertions of the officer commanding the district were most complete. The day was somewhat windy and chilly but a goodly crowd of spectators had gathered on the ground ~nd watched the shooting with much interest. Colonel Reader and Adjutant Cleland volunteered to go into the markers’ butts, and Capt. Taylor, Porirua Rifles, with an assistant marked at the finig points

[Here billows the names of some 61 competitors, that of Robert Woodman, Porirua, heading the list with a score of 47.] When the “ cease firing” was sounded Captain Benson was loudly called for. That gentleman stepped forward and was loudly cheered. Silence having been restored. Colonel Reader thanked him for his liberality in making this presentation. Capt. Benson then in a few words expressed his anxiety to encourage the Volunteer movement, and presented the rifle to the fortunate winner (Mr Woodman.) Three cheers having been given for the winner and Colonel Reader the firing was brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The people of Wellington are greatly indebted to Captain Benson for his liberality, and we hope the good example he has shown will be followed by other of our leading citizens.