WANGANUI.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 228, 24 April 1868, Page 2

WANGANUI.

By the arrival of the "Wallaby and Wanganui, this morning, wo are placed in possession of the latest news from this anticipated Eldorado, we are sory to say, that the hopes occasioned by previous statements are at an end, and the alleged discovery is a complete hoax. We extract the subjoined from the Wanganui Chronicle, of Tuesday last: —" It is proverbially unsafe to | count on the chickens or unhatched

eggs, and while it is yet too soon to predicate of the alleged goldfield at the Waitotara, of which wo were going to make so much, that there are no eggs, it is certain that they aro up to this time unhatched, and it seems only too probable that they may not bo laid or mislaid. Soberly and se* riously it appears that, in some unaccountable way or an other, the public have been hoaxed. There was gold in the sample described by us on Thursday last, as being exhibited in the shop of Mr Myers, Victoria Avenue,--so far all was clear and above-board; " there is no gold "in the ground from which this sample was said to be taken. At least, testimony to-day is both loud and strong on this point. It is just possible that, in the intense excitement which prevailed on the spot, the material may not have been properly tested, but we have the best authority for saying that the clay was dug and manipulated in all manner of ways by practical diggers, so that we can hardly think the gold could have been missed by them, and the conclusion seems irresistible that the ground at the locality indicated does not contain the precious metal in any appreciable quantity. How then has the terrible mistake arisen ? The explanation or supposed explanation, — the one generally received, although it is not quite satisfactory,— seems to be that the sample brougot from the Waitotara by Mr Russell, and which, by the way, was not handed from him direct to Mr Myers, had been " salted "(to use apopular phrase) or impregnated with particles of gold, and then given for analysis and exhibition, we do not say that this was the case, but such is the popular belief; anyhow there has been either a hoax or a mistake, and hence a rush of several hundred persons to the Waitotara to be cruelly disappointed. Whether or not gold may ultimately be found in the district remains to be seen. "We are sorry to say it has not yet been found.

If any scurvy trick has been perpe* trated, too much cannot be said in condemnation of it. It must have been done by some person or persons who had the handling of the sample. The public have strong suspicions of an individual, whose name it is said, was mixed up with the previous equivocal transaction of a character something similar, but emphatically denies it ; denies both the former and the latter charges ; and untill more is known of the matter, it would be wrong to

mention names, or to attach blame to any one in particular. From what we know of Mr Russell, we have perfect confidence in saying he would not lend himself for a single moment to anything of the kind, and no one supposes that Mr Myers had any hand in misleading the public. But every one having anything to do with the sample in question, if they wish to exonerate themselves before the public, will have to say all that they know of the transaction,

[Since writing the above, a large meeting—a mass meeting—hastily convened by the bellman, has been held on this subject. There being no available room large enough for the purpose, the meeting was held in the open air, immediately in front of the Rutland Hotel.—Mr William Finnic more was called to the chair. So close upon the hour of publication, it is impossible to report the proceedings nor is it necessary, as the gist of what was done was sufficient. A committee of twelve gentlemen were appointed to investigate the whole affair of the goldfind, whether real or supposed, and to report to an adjourned meeting to be held on Friday evening. Until the report of this committee is given in the public should suspend their opinion. More than one speaker stated that Mr Russell had expressed his readiness to give every information that might be required by any committee to be appointed ; and the general, indeed unanimous, feeling seemed to be that neither Mr Russell nor Capt. Shuttleworth were to blame in the matter. Loud calls were made for Mr Wilmot Powell, hut he was conspicuous by his absence. Mr McDonough gallantly volunteered a defence of Mr Powell—that he waited at the billiardroom in case he might be called, but that waiting a long time, he had come to the conclusion that his presence would not be required, and as there was sickness in his father's family he had gone home The explanation did not appear quite satisfactory, but after hearing numerous short speeches regarding the supposed gold-field, the burden of which was that it was a " duff«r," the meeting broke up. The Committee consists of Messrs A. M'Donald, G-. Walker, J. W. Robinson, J. Chadwick, Thomas Rowe, J. Ballance, —Clair, Walter Taylor, — Henderson, J. M'Donald, A. Myers, and AV. Finnimore.