GOLD LURE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1931, Page 2

GOLD LURE

A SMALL SCALE RUSH.

MANY MEN AND FEW NUGGETS.

SYDNEY, January 1; Much of the romance or the gold boom days has spread itself over the little outback town -of Larkinville, 350 miles from Perth, Western Australia. There a cosmopolitan population has quickly implanted itself, lew believe that Larkinville will prove another “Golden Mile;” but already it lias established modest fortunes left' a number of people, and a substantial! rewfard is still being gained by fossockers.

' " There are about 300 men on the Larkinville field, in types they are as iV varied as in their methods. Oid-timers rub shoulders with new chums. It is said that there is one man there who many years ago could boast a fortune of £50,000. With stooped 'back he searches for gold—gold that has been ids friend and his master. He became w r ealthy long years ago when he so.d out his claim to a syndicate. Penniless now, he cannot remember how he has spent such a vast sum. He does not seek another £50,000. He is content to-live the rest of his days in a shack, but he could not keep away when lie heard the rush had began. “But it is not like the old rushes that I remem- • he said. it was Mick Larkin who specked the "first 20oz slug found on the now field, y&l and so the place- was named after him. Larkin has not had all the luck. Slugs ||s| bigger than his have been ireely reported, and the prize-winner was \inearthed last week by old dry blower named Hnydon, who went into Kalwith a nugget weighing 70oz. £JT said that he and hie mates had discovered it at Larkinville. It was found while the party was digging at iT-as a depth of about 2ft. It was called tile “Boomerang Nugget,” as it was semicircular in shape, 8;n long, and 2Jin. wide. A.But, lucky as have been a number of those who have tried the new field, there are many who have yet to show “colour,” and now they are hard put to it to earn a livelihood. Soon they .yS will be in distress, and probably they will then appeal to the Government. In the circumstances it does not seem : tlf§ that a big rush to the spot would be pgj# warranted. As so many men are out of work these days there is always the danger that they will be attracted, m However, Larkinville confirms the a optimism of many who are confident that Western Australia’s steadily inSSI creasing gold yield can be quickened *£&■'• provided means are available to ex;!§s; ploit its resources on a proper scale. In this regard the Federal gold bonus is expected to achieve a great deal.