Terawhiti Goldfield.

Patea Mail, 22 February 1881, Page 3

Terawhiti Goldfield.

Ten gentlemen, representing various interests in Wellington, have visited Tex-awhiti, the scene of the new discovery near Ohau Bay. The journey occupied four and a half hours. On arriving at the scone, the outcrop of the new reef was found to be on the very summit of the ridge. Several people were there, and all seemed busily engaged breaking up specimens, &c. About three tons of loose quartz were found lying about, in nearly all of which specks of gold were visible. Three small shafts had been sunk on the summit to a depth of about six feet, in all of which there was loose quartz, which appeared as if it had been taken out and thrown back again. Several members of the party went into these shafts and broke out pieces of stone, all of which looked very well, and showed capital prospects. The reef appeared to be. four feet thick, being well defined and quite clear. Two men were at work on the southern side of the ridge, putting in a drive, and expecting to strike the reef at a distance of 160 ft. This is a work which will take two or three months to complete, and if no other steps are taken to test the ground, as seems to be the intention, nothing further relating to the discovery will be known for the period named. Those conversant with mining were greatly disappointed on learning this was the policy intended to be pursued, and the owner of the land, Mr McMannaman, who was there, was spoken to on the subject, but was found to be immovable. One gentleman even offered him £SO for the right to take up the next claim on either side, offering to be bound by any conditions which might be imposed, but Mr McMannaman said he would accept no offers of any amount, or even receive them, until the completion of the drive. Everyone was pleased with the appearance of the quartz, the reef being a capital looking, well-defined body of stone, showing gold in the solid, and being a capital class of quartz. Several South Island miners in the party asserted that if a similar discovery had been made in Otago or Westland, the ground would by now be pegged out for miles, and hundreds of men would be busily engaged in prosecuting the search. The ground is situated a good twenty miles from town, and the sea route would be the most available in case of the opening of the field. The outci’op is about a mile and a half from the nearest part of the shore. The reef is calculated to run into the sea about seven miles distant on the south side, and on the north side at about a mile and a half. The party returned to town fully satisfied that gold exists in the gi’ound at Terawhiti, and equally satisfied that the best course is being taken to keep it there by the suicidal policy adopted.— N.Z. Times.