THE RECENT GOLD DISCOVERIES IN MARLBOROUGH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5329, 26 April 1878, Page 6

THE RECENT GOLD DISCOVERIES IN MARLBOROUGH.

The Marlborough Exjyress of the 13th inst. publishes the following communication in reference to recent gold discoveries : —During the past few days a small quantity of gold has been shown about Picton, causing some excitement, since it was alleged that the gold had been obtained from quartz reefs said to exist in Blackwood's Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound, the prospectors having been equipped and despatched from this district, by a party of gentlemen, to test the gold-bearing character of the country round Golden Point. No sooner had the locality of the supposed new find been ascertained, than another party was sent from Picton to peg off new claims, and report on the prospects of the new Eldorado. On their arrival at Blackwood’s Bay, the locality of the reefs were quickly ascertained. But alas ! instead of the “ two massive, well-defined reefs,” as reported, nothing was to be seen but a couple of bauds of miserable looking “ country quartz,” traversing the hills at the same pitch, and parallel with the rock strata. This was quite sufficient for any practical quartz-miner, since gold-bearing quartz invariably cuts the rockstrata trauavei sely. But in no wise daunted, party No. 2 had resolved to prove the veracity of party No. 1. For three long weary days they toiled and moiled at the new Eldorado, without ever sighting a single color. Returning disgusted with the prospect, a new surprise awaited them at the foot of the hill. Secreted iu a cosy nook, and partly below high-water mark, was discovered what was at first supposed to he the reef found by party No. 1, but it did not take long to dispel the illusion. One of the party happened to be acquainted with the vagaries of a gentleman residing iu the classic waters of Endeavor Inlet. Some three or four years since, litigation w r as proceeding between this gentleman and the proprietors of the Raveuscliff mine as to the ownership of Golden Point. Pending a decision iu the Warden’s Court, this eccentric individual, to “make hay while the sun shone,” employed his leisure in procuring several tons of rich gold bearing quartz from Golden Point, and secreting it iu the neighborhood. Two of these “ plants” have already been sprung iu Blackwood’s Bay, the first of them by party No, 1, in which a number of our townsfolk are interested. They may now judge for themselves as to whence the quartz and gold exhibited about town were procured, aud also as to the present value of their £lO shares. We cannot but sympathise with the enterprising landlord, who is said to have deposited the sum of .-£2O with the Government for a lease of the Blackwood’s Bay claim in order to secure to himself the lion’s share iu this delightful “ mare’s nest.” A sample of the Golden Point quartz, containiug gold taken from the plant at Blackwood’s Bay, and a specimen of country quartz from the same place, will be forwarded to the Express office at Blenheim by first opportunity. The Havelock correspondent of the Marlborough Express 17th inst. thus refers to the new goldfield at Wakamarina :—“ There is still nothing of importance to record from the Wakamarina Goldfield. From what I can learn, during the past week there has been any amount of talk and precious little do. It seems the water has almost disheartened those engaged sinking, aud yet it is acklowledged by every practical miner that if three shafts were kept going at about the same level, there would be no difficulty iu bottoming. One of those engaged sinking Diamaut’s shaft informed me that he was confident if this pdan •were adopted, at the very utmost there would not he more than two buckets of water for one of dirt, aud he thought much less. It is a great pity something practical is not adopted without loss of time, especially before this line weather breaks up that we are now having. You would be surprised what numberless theories have been advanced for successfully draining this ground. Unity is strength, and I would ask the miners to recollect the old man’s fable of the bundle of sticks. United few difficulties would prove iusurmouutable, but separated they simply cut themselves out a Herculean task. I believe at present they are waiting to bear something more from Mr. Norgrove, who having visited the terrace is perfectly satisfied lie can make the water run up hill (ou the syphon principle) aud drain the claims without much difficulty, aud for every claim he drains, it composed of a party of four, ho receives one-eighth of the net proceeds obtained for his outlay ; so evidently he has some strong faith in the prospect. I hear they are getting good heavy gold in the upper terrace near the Forks.”