GOLD AT ALEXANDRA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 421, 20 March 1865, Page 5

GOLD AT ALEXANDRA.

Somf.tuixo more tangible in llic shape of gold than the piece of impregnated quartz whiehour eoiiteniporarj' stated had been found by a Maori at li'aglan has sinec been discovered near Alexandra. A gentleman who only returned from thai plaec on Saturday brought a few grains as a small specimen of the precious metal, the result of two tin dishes full of surface dirt. The gold is fine and sealey, and, from what we learn, to be obtained in quantity luthe use of the cradle and the long torn. The gold this time has been discovered bj' Mr. Todd himself, and is no Maori canard. A party of eight men have been engaged prospecting, two of whom came into Alexandra the night before our informant 'eft there. These men arc old anil experienced diggers, and they have no hesitation in declaring that the ground over which they had been prospecting would be found a large and valuable gold-field. With such results from the use only of a tin dish, tlicy said that they felt perfectly confident that, with a tub and cradle, men might earn at the very least twenty shillings per day. As yet they had but tested the surface, but the extent over which they had found gold in paving quantities was large and capable of supporting very many diggers. If such be the case there wiil in all probability be found payable sinking ground in the gullies and ilats around, and as in Australia perhaps on the hills themselves. The importance of this discovery is scarcely to be overrated. Alexandra is an easy journey from Auckland, and can easily be reached; there is nothing to i>rcvent the country from being at once prospected and occupied by diggers. There will be no hardships to be encountered, no fear of being, as Okitiki, left without provisions from the impossibility of getting them there. The nature too of the ground to be worked and the character of' the diggings as yet discovered—surface work—enables men without much, capital to engage in the undertaking. The approaeli of winter in such a country and on such a diggings will bo rather a benefit than a drawback.

We have no wish to create any unnecessary excitement al>out this matter. We have been somewhat sceptical in the matter of " rumoured finds," for experience lias taught us that in this province at least, they were based oil very little foundation. In this case, however, there is no cause for doubt, and wo think tliat the organization of two or three strong parties to prospect for gold between Alexandra and 3>aglan would be beneficial to themselves and to the country. We may mention that our informant when coining from Alexandra was met upon the road by an old colonist, now holding a high military rank in the Waikato district, and asked, " Had he seen Cambridge in his tour—that be ought to do so, as it was a splendid country—but never mind," continued his interlocutor, "if they have not as good land at Alexandra, they have plenty of gohl." Our informant asked was this really the case, and a. known fact, and not merely the rumour of a few loose characters, anxious to obtain employment at prospecting. He was informed that there was no doubt upon the matter—that it was a well ascertained fact.