POVERTY BAY DISTRICT.

Shannon News, 9 January 1923, Page 4

POVERTY BAY DISTRICT.

A WELL-DEFINED REEF,

STEPS TO SECURE CLAIM

Much interest is being shown in a reported discovery of gold at Whangara, midway between Tolaga Bay and Gisborne, and on the main east coast road. Hitherto there has been no trace of the precious metal in this dis-

trict, 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 Nativo Land Court, where an application from the Minister

of Mines for an order declaring certain lands at Whangara open for prospecting was approved by Judge Brown. The application was based upon a reported discovery of gold-bearing quartz on tho lands indicated as Whangara 81. The region is known to abound in rock containing iron pyrites, which has often been taken by inexperienced persons to be the sterling metal. INDEFATIGABLE PROSPECTOR The discovery of gold was due to the indefatigable investigations of a native

known as 1 ‘Major ’’ Jackson, who, during the past ten years, has frequently carried Tolaga Bay samples of rock J which he believed to show signs of gold. These specimens ho has invariably con- ! fided to Mr E. B. Boland, of Tolaga

i Bay, who, in telling the story of the i native's research stated that he had | practically metalled his backyard with the ‘worthless specimens. In June last, however, the undaunted Jackson turned up in Tologa Bay with a fresh speciman which bore unmistakable signs of the precious metal, and told Mr Boland that lie had chipped it .from a reef on Whangara 81. The reef, it was ascertained, is well defined and of fair proportions, and Mr Boland and 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 Min-

istcr for Mines making a formal application to the Native Land Court for the opening of the land for prospecting puiposes. VALUE OE DEPOSIT TESTED.

Mr Boland stated that since ho had received the specimen he had taken steps to test the value of the deposit. He had consulted experts in prospecting, and had been assured that the prospect was a very promising one if the sample could be taken as representative of the whole deposit. Mr Boland forwarded 6oz. of the quartz, and has been advised by the Government laboratory that the yield was six grains of gold and a modicum of silver. ! When the matter was before the Na- ; tive Land Court it was stated, in order

to reassure the native owners of the ' block, that Mr Boland would give a ' satisfactory bond in respect to eompensation until the opening of the land for prospecting purposes had been gazetted. No licenses will be issued, but it is probable that the 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.