SIX TONS OF GOLD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 153, 2 July 1869, Page 2

SIX TONS OF GOLD.

.' — O{From the Thames Advertiser?) A few weeks ago we published the customs return of gold shipped for the past twelvemonth, amounting to 128,0000ze. To-day we are enabled to furnish our readers with the total amount of gold produced since the bauks were established at this place ; i.e., from February, 1868, to the 30th of last month, and we find it to be 131,8280z5. 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 were principally from the famous Hunt's (Shotover) claim, respecting the wealth of which comment; is needless. These figures show that nearly six tuns of the precious metal have already been produced from the place, although still in its iofaucy as a quarfz-reefiog district, and ikese with applieauees for saving the gold which are now almost daily improved upon. The above return, taken at the low value of £2 12a. 6d. an ounce, shows a total of £341,048 as the produce of the field during that period. The duty paid upon this amounts to £16,478. There can be no doub(, however, that even this does not represent the actual yield, because the heavy duty demanded by the Government is a temptation to 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 16,7940z^, of the value of £43,244.