The New Find of Gold at Te Aroha.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3990, 12 October 1881, Page 2

The New Find of Gold at Te Aroha.

(FttOM JL COEBESPONDENT.)

The advent on the Thames last week of the famous Te Aroha prospector, Honi Werihiko, with specimens of quartz, showing gold freely, from Te Aroha, caused quite a sensation in mining circles. For some time Honi has been kaown to be prospecting in Te Aroha and there have been rumours afloat that he had found payable gold, but till he camj down himself, the rumours were dis--believed. The. known truthfulness of Honi, caused more attention to be given to his tale than would otherwise have been given to anyone else from such an unpopular district. The stone brought down by Hone was seen by a number dt mining experts, who agreed that if the reef was as good as sample, it would be the salvation of Te Aroha. Some of the stone was tested in the Bank of New Zealand, and the Union Bank, and was found to average 3ozs to the ton.

Under the invitation of the Prospector, a number of Thames experts agreed to accompany him, to judge by ocular demonstration the correctness of the reported discovery. Starting from Shortland on Saturday morning by steamer, after a slow but pleasant journey, we made Paeroa, where we' put up for the night, agreeing to hark away by horse early in the morning. By the time we were mustered on Sunday morning, our cavalcade had been joined by equestrians from the up country, all bent on seeing the new find. Our large party of horsemen quite astonished the quiet Te Arohans, who having seen their ' city ' abandoned, deserted and forgotten, were unprepared for the present invasion. I saw great glee shining in the eyes, of the hotel keepers, at the prospect of a few stray half-crowns finding their way to the till, also the chance of seeing the deserted streets again filled with a mooied multitude, might have passed before their minds: All around 'us the numerous inhabitants of Te Aroha pressed, and pouring into our ears tales of gold found, of the splendid show, of the great size of reef, and of the populous Te Aroha streets of the future. Gathering all our energies together, mustering our forces, with half Te Aroha at our heels, under the guidance of Hone Werahikotr $$■ commenced a laborious ascent to the nsw find. The situation of the 'find is to the east of jhe Trig Station, in the High School Eerorve, up the Wairongomai Creek. The only track to Honi's claim is by the top of the mountain and down its eastern side, which means lull five hours' walking. To enter into particulara*"6f that awlul journey is too much for human nature, the memory of it shall remain green. I heard one of the party express an opinion that he would not undertake the journey again for £50, and he and I are one in sentiment. But there is an end to all things ; at last we came to where the gold was found. ,:

There is a large blow of stonj&standing about 40 feet out of the ground; and from 20 to 33 feet thick, running north and south in the direction of Waih'i,"' We examined the reef carefully, and we found gold freely distributed throughout the face. In places moss had grown over the stone ; on pulling away the moss, gold was seen. The gold is in spots, all over; indeed, very little stone could be broken off without seeing the precious metal. No work has been done, but claims have been pegged off for miles along the reef. Honi has called his claim the " New Find," and there is every chance that it will prove a rich find. . ; - The great obstacle in the way is the difficulty of access. A\ road, with a nice easy gradient, from the Wairakau, so I am told, could be made, that would place claims within two hours walk of Morgantown. Till that it is done, a thorough prospecting cannot be entered upon. I noticed several old faces—men who will give the place a thorough prospecting —have come back to the.Aroha to try their luck again.

About seven o'clock our party returned to Morgantown, weary, wet, hungry, and generally miserable, but quite satisfied with the prospects of Werihiko's find. To-morrow (Wednesday) the Warden, with several others from the Thames, means to, visit the find. I wish them every success and a pleasant journey.