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Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4545, 31 March 1923, Page 3

Reminiscent of “Treasure Island’ and the notorious John Silver was a scene which was enacted in the main street in Timaru. A business man was standing on the footpath conversing with a friend when his eye suddenly caught the glint of silver at the end of a storm-water pipe which discharged into the side channel. Going to the end of the pipe and making a close inspection he discovered a shining shilling. Picking this up, though he did not shout “pieces of eight,” he set out on cn exciting treasure hunt. Putting his hand up the storm-water pipes he drew out, one at a time., eleven more shining shilling pieces. Not satisfied that ae had exhausted the possibilities of the pipe he made further search with his hand in the debris, and then drew out silver piece after silver piece till he had added to his original haul of twelve shillings 27 threepenny bits. It is supposed that the money was a “plant,’’ and that it had been put there in order that the culprit might avoid detection.