GOLD PROSPECTING.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 337, 26 January 1889, Page 6

GOLD PROSPECTING.

Mr Nicoll, the prospector employed by the JJijiau Piospectmg Association, has reported oa the result of his researches. The coast line was then followed round from the mouth of the Wai Levu to fiua, and then crossing the island to the Urcketi River, Mr Nicholl thoroughly prospecting the various livers, creeks, and likely looking places met with <// route. Nothing, however, was found on this trip, except" on the Yanawai River, where three ounces of gold were obtained irovn three weeks' work on the bed rock of the river, with three Fijians assisting him. With this prospect ho again returned to Suva, and having exhibited the result of his labours to the members of the Atsociation they resolved on again despatching him to endeavour to discover the matrix or lead where the prospect obtained must originally have come from. This quest Mr Nichell continued for another three months, piospecting *both banks of the river tor eight miles above the spot wheie the three ounces were obtained. The cap of a gold bearing leading some six inches wide was cut into during this search, but this had not the appearance of continuing for any distance, judging from the lay of the country, and the running dip of the leader itself. This leader was on top of a 1 dnge 3000 feet high. Mr Nicholl expresses an opinion that a large amount of the lead had been conveyed toiihe river by successive land slips, which have had a great deal to do in supplying the river with the gold which can now be obtained from its bed. The result of his further explorations only amounted to the discovery of about 3dwts. of line gold, which he pounded out of the reef. During the fifteen months which his tour has extended over, Mr Nicholl has travelled a long distance, and thoroughly tested a large tract of couotiy on both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. He thinks that the only likely spot he has seen which it is possible will ultimately prove to be payable auriferous, is in the neighboux'hoods of the Yanawai and Sigatoka Rivers, as the indications on these spots are by far the most favouiablo to further discoveries.