“The Press” In 1866

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31235, 6 December 1966, Page 18

“The Press” In 1866

December 6 GOLD AT AKAROA.—Akaroa has been thrown into a state of excitement by what appears to be a veritable gold discovery. Mr H. Watkins, who first found any, and on whose property the discovery was made, has forwarded us a specimen which contains several pieces of scaly gold and other minerals. We may state that this sample was obtained from a few dishes of a reddish brown marl which was thrown up in the course of digging a well for water. From out of the same heap of stuff Mr W. Gundry obtained five other specimens of scaly gold, and one which appeared thicker and more waterworn. Mr Anawd, who has had some experience on the goldfields, washed out a fine piece of quartz, on which was a. considerable quantity of

gold. From what we have related, it would seen that gold in more or less quantities exists in the locality, which may be described as a part erf the delta formed by the mountain stream which at one time flowed out of the large valleys in the vicinity, over or near the place where the hole was dug, and which stream now runs somewhat to the southward. We have simply stated the facts, and do not profess to offer an opinion as to the probabilities of a goldfield springing up out of this isolated discovery, but it is of sufficient importance to deserve fuller investigation. We hear that Messrs Watkins are employing men to sink holes and fully test the value of the ground, and that a subscription is on foot to raise funds to sink a deep hole, so as to fully ascertain whether exists in paying quantities.