SIX TONS OF GOLD FROM THE THAMES.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 180, 19 June 1869, Page 5

SIX TONS OF GOLD FROM THE THAMES.

A few weeks ago we published the customary return of gold shipped for the past twelvemonth, amounting to 128,000 oz. To-day we are enabled to furnish our readers with the total amount of gold produced since the banks were established at this place; i.e., from February, 18G8, until the oOth of last month, and we find it to be 131,928 oz. This may be taken to represent nearly the entire produce of the field, although parcels were lodged in the Auckland banks even prior to that date, but they Wore principally from the famous Hunt’s (Shotover) Claim, respecting the wealth of which comment is needless. These figures show that nearly six tons of the precious metal have already been produced from the place, although still in its infancy as a quartz-reefing district, and these, with appliances for saving the gold which are now almost daily improved upon. The above return, taken at the low value of £2 12s 6d an ounce, shows a total of £341,084 as the produce of the field during that period. The duty paid upon this amounts to £1G,478. There can be no doubt, however, that even this does not represent the actual yield, because the heavy duty demanded by the Government is a temptation for speculative individuals to sell their gold elsewhere, whilst a considerable amount of jewellery has been manufactured out of Thames gold, upon which no duty has been collected by the Customs. During the six months ended on the 30th ult., the famous Hunt’s Claim has produced 16,794 ounces, of the value of £43,244. —A dve rtiser.