THE NEW GOLD FIND.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 41, 16 August 1895, Page 2

THE NEW GOLD FIND.

Tho applications of Mossr?. C. and T. Thompson, J. Oalto.i, J. lrwin, and A. H. Hanson for po-mis-ion to work the alleged gold finds on the Waterworks Eesorve oame before the City Council last night. Mr. H. Gordon, Inspecting Engineorto the Miues Department, sent in a report, stating that he had examined tbo spot where Mr. Thompson was at work. There was no lode yet opened up o£ a. payable character, but from the appearance of the lodo atnff near the surface he thought it might be reasonably expected that better results would be obtained by further prospecting. Mr. T. B Hewitt, Waterworks Engineer, who visited tho Bpot at the request of the Council, reportod that the five claims which had been pegged out took np the whole width of the reserve. The reof ran nearly parallel with the reservoir along the faoe of the'hill at the sonth side of the dam. All the claims wero below the ridge of the hill, with a fall towards the roservoir and stream supplying the same, with the exception of No. 1, whioh waa below the line of the reservoir, so that should the material from the claims be deposited in tho gullies the storm water would wash a quantity of it into the dam. The work could, of ooarse, bo carried ou without damage by taking the stuff away as it was taken out of the drives, which the men said would bo done. They seemed to havo struck a properly-defined reef, whioh they said extended for miles, and he had uo doubt very soon part'es would bo takingup ground outside of the reserve, bnt yet in tho watershed, which would be iv tho same position ao far as affecting the water supply was concerned The City Surveyor wrote suggesting that until the opinion of the Inspector of Mines or somo other competent authority had been obtained as to the value or otherwise of the alleged re'f, no further working should be allowed. In addition to the pollution of the stream by indiscriminate digging, there was tho chanoi! of fire destroying the trees on the res-rvo as the weather became dryer. Councillor Willeston moved that the whole matter be referred to the City Reserves Committee. Councillor Tatum suggested that the Council should visit tho workings in a body. The matter might provo an important one, and should the reefs tarn out valnablo tho royalties might bo worth more to the Corporation than any damage that might be done. Couno Hor Fraaer hopoi that proper precautions wero being taken in the meantime to prevent the pollution of the water in the reservoir. The Mayor said that precautions had been taken. Councillor Willeston'smotionwagadopted. The Councillors have decided to visit the workings. .