THE TAOTAOROA REEFS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2155, 1 May 1886, Page 2

THE TAOTAOROA REEFS.

After the reported discovery of quartz reefs on Mr Brunskill's property at Taotaoroa n short time back, of which we published from time to time such particulars as were then obtained, a syndicate was formed in Cambridge to put them to a practical test, aud Mr Hornibrook, an experienced miner from Waioronpronui, was engaged to examine the locality of the find. In the meantime matters were kept quiet until the results of Mr Hornibrook's prospecting were realised. It became known during the last few days that he hnd presented his report on the nature and value of the reefs, and we endeavoured, on public grounds, to procure information on the subject from members of the syndicate, who, however, showed evident Mgns of reluctance to enlighten us. To Mr H. Brunskill, who was in Cambridge on Thursday, we aie indebted for some particulars. It appears that Mr Hornibrook thought nothing of the reef which was first found, and as he failed to obtain 'any " colour " in the small creek which flows over it, ho did not go into the face or work the rpef at all, pronouncing it to be not true quartz. He prospected the country in the neighbourhood and tried other outcrops of stone which were found, but failed to discover the genuine article. Mr Hornibrook has been taken to several spots on the Maungakawa range where gold bearing quartz has been repotted to exist, but met with the same want of success. On Thursday evening it was minoured that he had met with alluvial gold at Fencourt, where s->ine men were digging out gravel, a quantity of which he panned out, and found good " colour "at each trial. What value can b°. placed upon this last pha^e of the search for p lyable gold remains to be seen.