Gold Discovery in the Tararua Ranges.

Manawatu Herald, 7 May 1896, Page 3

Gold Discovery in the Tararua Ranges.

For several months past prospeotiag amoog the Tararua ranges has bean carried on by Mr R. H. Elliotte, says the Post. Mr Elliotte, who has had considerable mining experience on the Thames, West Ooast, and other goldfields informs U3 that about 24 year's •go he was one of a party of men who went from the Wairarapa to the West Ooast diggings in search of fortune. On the way down he discovered a likely-looking reef on the Tararua ranges, and on testing some of the stone in a rough and ready way he found that it was gold* j

bearing. Having arranged to visit the Coast, he did not stop to prospect the lode more thoroughly. Early in January last he set out from Palmersfcon North in search of tha reef, but as yet he has been unable to come across it again, and he supposes that it has been covered by bußh. He has, however, met with no fewer than nine distinct reefs, and from one of them he has brought to Wellington some pieces of highly mineralised quartz. About 5 cwt. of the cap of the reef has been broken out for treatment at -the Thames School of Mines, mortar tests having already proved that it is gold-bearing. On making these discoveries, Mr Blliotte formed a syndicate in Palmerston to oarry on further operations, and on its behalf he has since pursued hia work. The reef he tells us is fully 9 feet wide, and runs due north and south, with an easterly dip. The settlers on whose land he has been prospecting realise how much it is to their interest that the district should be exploited, and have in every way assisted him in his work. On Thursday last 15 or 16 of them helped him to carry the stone which he had broken out to where it could be placed on a cart for conveyanoe to the Upper Hutt. Mr Elliotte has acquired the necessary rights to enable him to open up any part of the couutry over which he has been prospecting, and ha is confident that if the trial parcel yields are satisfactory a large number of men will soon be engaged in mining operations on the Tararuas. The workings are only one mile and a half from a macadamised road, which could be easily extended up to

the claim. A good battery site is obtainable close to the workings, and as there is also plenty of firewood and water, crushing could be carried od at a reasonable rate.