"GOLD FEVER."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 159, 8 July 1935, Page 5

"GOLD FEVER."

FIJI IN THE GRIP.

WHITE MEN, NATIVES, INDIANS

SEARCHING THE MOUNTAINS

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SUVA, July 2.

"Gold fever" has gripped the Fiji community, and people of all races are striving to "get rich quick." : Many Fijians who did not know the difference between blue metal and sandstone now discuss in quite learned fashion the merits of chunks of rock they carry around with them.

Men are penetrating into corners of the mountains where probably no human foot has ever trod. All over the north and west in Viti Levu there can be met white men and Indians, sometimes guided by natives, sometimes alone, hunting for "colour." It is reported that options have been secured over "finde" in the district of Singatoka and Nandi for Australian syndicates. Now there is a small "rush" to the scattered islands of the Yasawas, lying to the north-west of Viti Levu, where gold is reported to have been found. A number, of Europeans, including representatives from Australia and also local men left last Thursday week, but so far there is no word of much success resulting. The "rush" followed the arrival of a man bringing samples of very heavy stone, but what it contained is not yet known. It is foolish to ancticipate fortunes. The Tavua field apparently is rich, but how far down the richnees extends time alone will show.