FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22139, 19 June 1935, Page 8

FIFTY YEARS AGO

GOLD IN KING COUNTRY POSSIBILITIES DISCUSSED King; Country settlers of 50 years ago probably had visions of their district becoming a goldmining centre. Following is an item which appeared in the New Zealand Herald of June 19, 1885, in regard to discoveries near Otorohanga:— " We understand that some coarse, shotty gold was brought down to Auckland on Wednesday from Waikato. It is said to have been found in a creek near Otorohanga, a place on the Waipa River, near the route of the Trunk Railway. It was sent down bv Mr. Helps, a settler near Alexandra. " There is very lictle doubt but that, gold exists in the King Country, but not in the place where this discovery is said to have taken place. Specimens have been obtained at Tuhtia, but the country immediately around Alexandra is a most unlikely place. It is quite possible, however, that the gold which has just been brought to light had been obtained some time ago from the Tuhua country. However, the continued prosecution of the railway works will soon give opportunity for prospecting in the ranges of the King Country unless stringent means are adopted by the Government to prevent prospecting."'