PERRY & McKENNA'S CLAIM DISCOVERED.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1801, 30 September 1884, Page 2

PERRY & McKENNA'S CLAIM DISCOVERED.

•* ALLEGED FRAUD. STONE IN HANDS OF POLICE. Last night the rumor went through the town that the celebrated gold reef had been discovered by Mr Parsons. It was known by a great many that Mr Parsons had been searching for a long time and he had expressed strong faitli in the ultimate success of his endeavors to find the reputed gold reef. He had traced Perry and McKenna to a given point on the Rangitnro.au, but there he was fogged by the bush. He knew that within a certain radius from this point there was an old Maori clearing, but how to get at it he did not know. For a fortnight on and off he bad been in search of a track, and at last lie was rewarded. On Saturday Mr Parsons told McKenna and Perry that the day following he would arrive at the site of the alleged reef, and he would have been there hut for the wet weather, On the Monday lie sent for an experienced reefer named Heaton, who is in the employ of Mr Tailored of Taratahi, and they went on the warpath, armed with an ample supply of provisions in the event of their stay being a prolonged one. They left with the determination of discovering the reef if it existed, and, like Mahomet of old, their faith was rewarded. Their faith took them to the mountain although it was not strong enough to bring the mountain to them, Arriving at the old spot to where they bad traced the prospectors they took a new departure and searched in a different direction for a track. At last they found a small track in the hush, much hidden with undergrowth, and following this for a considerable distance their perseverance was rewarded by the sight of a clearing, It struck them both that they were at last at the goal of their deshes. There were the remains of the Maori whares, there was the creek, and the whole of the surroundings coincided with the description of the site they had gleaned from time to time from the possessors of the secret. At this point they rested from their arduous labors and renewed their strength with solid food, washed down with some of Parson's local industry, after which, armed with hammer and chisel they commenced the search for , the precious metal, They sampled the bed of the creek, followed it up, searching on both sides, but in vain so far. It was then Mr Parsons remembered that in speaking of the place visited Mr Hornblow had described a waterfall under which was a natural grotto that fairly glittered with the precious metal and they determined to push on undeterred by their hitherto unsuccessful efforts and they were soon rewarded by the sound of rushing waters, and quickly found the described waterfall. There was the place so accurately described—nature's handwork in all its beauty. With excited hopes they pushed into the grotto and their eager eyes scanned the interior for the precious metal, but alas! they searched in vain; nothing but sandstone—dripping sandstone—met their over-strained vision. Still undaunted, they searched for indications of there having been prospectors there before them and they soon came across a hole which had every appearance of having been recently made. They commenced a search in real earnest and full of excitement soon emptied the hole, and found—alas--nothing but disappointment. Then quite dieheartened, they again sat down and took counsel of each other as to what their next step should be. They -had found scattered around broken stones that were not of the class belonging there, and they began to feel the conviction overpowering them that something was wrong. They were positive they had struck the right place where Messrs O'Connor and Hornblow had been taken to and shown as the site of the reef, but they had not yet found anything that answered to the description of the stone described by both of them, and of which samples had been shown in Masterton. Again they commenced the search and nftern while Mr Parsons came across some broken and faded ferns that had certainly not grown or fallen where ho found them, He removed these fern-leaves and found the earth under them had been recently disturbed. Before preceding further he '■cooeyed" his mate who was searching in another direction, and on his arrival they both dug out the yellow clay hole and found some stray pieces of fresh chipped stone, similar to the pieces they had found lyinrr around, This stone was washed and carefully examined, broken and examined again, but not a sign of gold was found. Again they went on with the search with a dogged determination tofind out all'there was to he known of the mysterious reef, and higher un they found a boulder of reef that certainly did not belong there. It had yellow clay on it, the same as was in the hole they had last left. They took and washed it, and when cleaned it glittered with what appeared to be gold. They broke it in pieces aad searched every chip, but not a speck was inside, The outside of the stone showed where some of it had been chipped before they found it, and they settled down to the conclusion tljat the stone had been salted. It had been apparently rubbed over with a brass button or half-sovereign, and then placed in tho hole previously spoken of ready for the inspection of the two shareholders who alone were to see the reef and that by artificial light. That would account for the statement made by Mr Hornblow that a match was struck and the stone he saw plainly showed gold. The two indefatigable disooverers found near this place a bag with samples of stone in, evidently left but lately in that place. Completely satisfied with tho olmvactev of thoir disoovery they returned to Masterton, In the evening Mr Parson,!) n)st Mr Hornblowfltidsftkltolilin "Old man Vva found your claim and I'm sorry foi< yem l ohance," Ho fchon gav 0 Hoi'hbW n minute dosoiiption of the iJftoo tiiuy Vu! 'j.wii to, and Im owned it iiriuwi'fjd Hie diwrlptlmi !u nmry paviiiMilar. Bony H, M 'i|b) m v v/mii bo, M o rjepssr-d, Jju i: ~,,[;

His friend O'Connor remarking his mood nsked the cause. " Chum," said Hornblow, "our claim's jumped. I heard in town the reef was discovered." Mr Hornblow did not tell his friend who had found the reef, but Mr O'Connor soon heard the rumor in the town and off he went to Mr Parsons and enquired the truth of the report. Mr Parsons told him everything and he reluctantly owned that the place described must be the one shown him as llio site of the reef, and he went away down - hearted. Presently another well - known seeker after gold rushed to Mr Parsons and offered him a cheque for £IOO for a share in the discovery. Then •Sergeant McArdle appeared on the scene and the stone brought down by Messrs Pai-sous and ileaton was placed in his charge to await the next move. The site of the reported reef is somewhere at the back of the Maori land leased by Mr Lowes between tlw Ruamahanga and Wangaelm rivers near the boundary of Mawley and Bodgshun's laud.