Gold-hearing Quartz.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1922, Page 1

Gold-hearing Quartz.

DISCOVERY NEAR GISBORNE. GISBORNE, December 19. Much interest is being, a reported discovery of gold at Whnngl.ira, midway between Tolaga Bay and Gisborne on the main East Coast road. Hitherto there,has been no trace of the precious nielaf. in this district, , bnl there seems little reason to. .doubt £he authenticity of the reported find, though its value as a potential field has vet to be ascertained. The matter became public through proceedings in the Native Land Court, where an application from the Minister of Mines for .an" order declaring certain lands at Whangara open for prospecting was approved by Judge Browne. The application was based upon a reported discovery of gold-bearing quartz on the lands indicated, "Whnngara 81. The region was known to abound in reck containing iron pyrites, which has often been taken by inexperienced persons to be the sterling metal. The discovery of gold was due to the indefatigable investigations of a native known as “Major” Jackson, who. during the past ten years has frequently carried to Tolaga. Bay samnles of rock which he believed to bear signs of gold. These specimens he lias invariably confided to Mr E. B. Boland, of Tolago Bay. who, in tolling the story of the native’s search, stated that lie had practically metalled his backyard with the worthless specimens. In June last, however, the undaunted Jackson turned up in Tolaga Ray with a fresh specimen which bore unmistakable signs of the precious metal, and told Mr Boland that he had chipped it from a reef on Whangara 81. The reef, it was ascertained, is well defined and of fair proportions, and Mr Boland and Jackson entered into an arrangement by which prospecting rights should ho obtained over the block. The application for the license was held up by the fact that the block is owned hv natives, and this necessitated the Minister of Mines making a formal application to the Native Land Court for the opening of the land for prospecting purposes. Mr Boland stated that since lie had received the specimen he had taken steps'to test the value of the deposit. He Had consulted experts in prospecting and had been assured that the prospect was a very promising one, if the sample could be taken as representative of the whole deposit. Mr Boland foi warded six ounces of the quartz and has been advised liv the Government laboratory that the yield was six grains of gold and a modicum of silver. When the matter was before the Native Land Court it was stated for the reassurance of the native owners of the Block that Mr Boland would give a satisfactory bond in respect to compensation. 1 Until the opening of the land for prospecting purposes has been gazetted. no licenses will he issued, but it is probable that the appplication of "Mr Boland and his partner will receive firsj: consideration. Under the mining laws the discoverer is entitled to peg out a prospecting claim of 100 acres, Put later arrivals are individually confined to a verv much smaller area.