A GOLD “FIND.”

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1932, Page 2

A GOLD “FIND.”

DISCOVERY AT RAETIHI

AUCKLAND, May 27. .A.Raetihi; settler relates an inter* esting experience he had when a visitor called upon him and asked permission to be tallowed to dig lor gold on his property. “At first,’' said the setler, “I thought the visitor was having a joke with me, but in further conversation discovered that he was in earnest. The story briefly was that 25 years ago he was employed at a mill and one pay day he decided to go to Taihape and not wishing to take all his money, he buried nine sovereigns in a tin under a. tree not far from the mill. It so happened that he got a better job in Taihape and on finishing there, drifted to Australia, where he eventually took up land. This was his first visit to New Zealand during the 25 years and wishing to see the Raetihi district again he included it in hie tour. He had not forgotten the plant of gold. But did not hold much hopes of finding it again, as he thought the area would probably have been stumped and cultivated long ago. When the plant was made the bush had not been felled. We had difficulty in locating the spot where the tree stood, owing to bush having been burnt, but the measurements the former mill hand had taken had proved fairly acciirhte and we located the roots of a tree;"

After a little digging we unearthed the sovereigns a few inches below the surface. The tin had entirely rusted away. I have one of those sovereigns •as a memento of the occasion and value it very much,” added the (settler.