GOLD IN SOUDAN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2011, 9 June 1885, Page 2

GOLD IN SOUDAN.

f The special correspondent of the S»ey Morning Herald, writing from Halour on2lst April, says:-"The Australian contingent had scarcely found themselves among the rocks and gullies of tlio hilly land around Suakim when their instincts told them the meaning of splendid quartz veins whiclyvere.foundaniong the rocks. On close examination the.quartz proved exceedingly promising, and some fino, reefs have been distinguished, butVthe best indication is ,the precious' metal itself, and several of-the Australians'haye ; picked out specimens with gold showinik freely. I have also seen abeautifulpiece! of copper ore, and one of our infantry officers told me • the other .day, he.ihad found traces of silver.; Pieces of ' quartz are found all over the rocky cbuntfyj and there is a' strong.temptation to throw :Over campaigningaltogether to follow up the indications which pur British comrades seem to have no suspicion of. I do. not anticipate that payable gold will be found > in the level country, although gold dust may be scattered over the wide-spread sands of the khors, It is in the mountains that the best prospects are to be obtMft. There is a fine field hero for Austrarljs; ' They are trained to a similar climate, and their peculiar energies would find ample": scopein thetrade and ventures of Soudan. A great deal depends on the railway but • with or without it mining would eventually civilise the country.'' - '. .■':>.: :.