MELBOURNE GOLD FIND

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1924, Page 3

MELBOURNE GOLD FIND

discovery in the city. SYDNEY, November l.'L In a quiet street in Fitzroy, within live minutes tram ride of the Melbourne General Rost Oltice, a gold rush lias occurred. The liud was made by a man who was digging a drain in the backyard of Mr S. ’l. Goon, a Chinese herbalist. Rropertv owners caught the fever and claims were pegged out. lint it is uoL likely there will lie any serious mining, for the overburden of the wealth in bricks in mortar, and streets and lanes and roads will prohibit milling there.

It is belio-ed that, a gold reef runs north along Nicholson street from Rrinres.i Street. Mr Goon’s property lies at the intersection of Nicholson street and Princess street. The labourer was working in an excavation, and his pick struck some metal that glittered like gold in the sunlight. The piece of metal was as large as a man's two lists., and it seemed to be impregnated with pure gold, lie reported the discovery to Mr Goon, and disclosed many similar pieces of metal in a northerly direction. The store of the discovers- leaked

out when some adjoining property owners were shown pieces id the metal. The discovery did not create much interest, however. until Mr Goon was asked to "name his own price” for the property. lie rclused to quote a price. When questioned he disclosed the Inst idler lie was made for the property, and the man who interviewed him said calmly: "Well, double that.” No business resulted. Several interviews followed. and (lie owner was aiv-ii to iin-It*r:hand that be could obtain nil-re tbao tin lim-!. the otter for I to- pr-'i- its it It- did m,i |» r i•( in being g.rant'-d ao interest in the guld mining . i-:a I ions. Still no business resulted, and the owner was told that a financially strong company had been formed to prospect the area. On Friday Mr F. ('. Ilc-hcr. the manager, gave notice on behalf of Mr Goon of an application for a mining lease. The mine situate in Nicholson street, Fitzroy, will be knosvii as Batman's Hill gold mine, and will have an area of about 100 ft square. The estimated expenditure on the property is (.'•)()(>. A neighbouring mine will be knots n as t|, o Eastern Hill gold mine, and it has an area of Sift x 110 ft. Roth leases are required for a term of about 15 years.

\ few small Hakes have been pronounced by the State geologist to lie alluvia! gold. The gold so far secured is s.taed to be worth about CIO.