THE ALLEGED GOLD DISCOVERIES.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 100, 25 March 1876, Page 2

THE ALLEGED GOLD DISCOVERIES.

rJR 0 Sl* KC T 011S ’ S'I'ATKMKKT. The sound of new gold finds always possesses a certain charm to the migratory miner, and, as a rule, distance lends enchantment to the view. The meagre particulars flashed through the wires a few weeks ago, that Cornelius Casey had discovered rich quartz in the Taranaki Province had the effect of forming a.small party of miners under the leadership of a Mr (/Neill, an old and experienced Bendigo miner, who, fully equipped, with the orthodox outfit, set out for the scene of the reported El Dorado. Although suspicious through the reticence of Mr Casey, they resolved upon a thorough and complete prospecting of the country behind Mount Egmont, and first struck in from the Patca river along Chealo’s track in a northeasterly direction, and the party sunk holes in the beds of several creeks, but their labours were not rewarded by even securing the bare encouragement of the colour. All rivers were headed, for a distance of (10 miles but the country traversed did not present the slightest indication of being auriferous, and the leader of the party informs ns that he is thoroughly satisfied that Casey never obtained the quartz crushed at the Thames in this district. The only reef crossed by the prospectors was a conglomerated mass of stuff, which was, of course, entirely barren of the precious metal. The party were engaged prospecting for upwards of a month, and only relinquished their search on Friday week last. They started with a very meagre supply of provisions, consisting chic-fly of Hour and tea, hut the fortunate existence of wild pigs and a plentiful supoly of fish in tiie various streams compensated for their failing provisions. The country travelled is reported to he of remarkably level character and well adapted for settlement. The above particulars were kindly supplied to ns by Mr O’Neil, the leader of the party, and he further informed ns that he is in treaty with the King natives for permission to explore the country between Taranaki and Auckland on a similar mission. Two native guides are promised, and wo sincerely trust that Mr O’Neill’s second search will be better rewarded. No encouragement or inducement of any kind were held out to the party, and it Avill be admitted on all sides that they arc of every praise, for their pluck enterprise in exploring a country in of a discovery, which, if made, could not have failed to advance this province in the scale of progress.