GOLD FIND.

Otaki Mail, 8 January 1923, Page 3

GOLD FIND.

POVERTY BAY DISTRICT. A WELL-DEFINED REEF. STEPS TO SECURE CLAIM

Much interest is being shown in o reported discovery of gold at Whaugara, midway between Tolaga Bay and Gisborno, and on the main east coast road. Hitherto there has been no trace of the precious metal in this district, but there seems little reason to doubt the authenticity of the reported find, though its value as a potential field has yet to be ascertained.

The matter became public through proceedings in the Native Land Court, where an application from the Minister of Mines for an order declaring certain lands at Whaugara open for prospecting was approved by Judge Brown. The application was based upon a reported discovery of gold-bearing quartz on the lands indicated as Whaugara 81.

The region is known to __ abound in rock containing iron pyrites, which haoften been taken by inexperienced persons to be the sterling metal. INDEFATIGABLE PROSPECTOR The discovery of gold was due to the indefatigable investigations of a natifce known as "Major" Jackson, who, dur-

ing the past ten years, has frequently carried Tolaga Bay samples of rock which he believed to show signs of gold. Theso specimens ho has invariably confided to Mr E. B. Boland, of Tolaga

Bay, who, in telling the story of the native's research stated that he had

practically metalled his backyard with

the worthless specimens. In June last, however, the undaunted J Jackson turned up in Tologa Bay with i a fresh speciman which bore unmistakable signs of the precious metal, and told Mr Boland that he had chipped it from a reef on Whaugara 81. The reef, it was ascertained, is well defined and of fair proportions, and Mr Boland tuid Jackson entered into arrangements by which the prospecting rights should be obtained over the block. The application for the license was held up by the fact that the block is owned by natives, and this necessitated the Minister for Mines making a formal application to the Native Land Court for the <neuiag of the. land for prospecting purposes. I '.' ' ' '-'*■*? VALUE OF DEPOSIT TESTED. Mr Boland stated that since he had received the specimen, he had taken steps to test the value of the deposit.

He had consulted experts in prospect- I ing, and liad been assured that the ' prospect was a very promising one if j the sample could be takon as representative of the whole deposit. Mr Bo- ! land forwarded 607. of the quartz, and ; has been, advised by the Government laboratory that the yield was six grains ; of gold and a modicum of silver. 1 When the matter was before the Native Land Court it was stated, in order to reassure the native owners of the block, that Mr Boland would give a .-atisfactory bond in respect to compcasation until the opening of the land for prospecting purposes had been gazetted. No licenses will be issued, but jt is probable that tha application of Mr Boland and his partner will receive first' consideration. ■Under the mining laws the discoverer is entitled to peg out a prospecting claim of 100 acres, but later arrivals are individually confined to a very much small area.