NOT TRUE GEMS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11404, 3 January 1931, Page 4

NOT TRUE GEMS

“DIAMONDS” FROM DUCKS

ECHO OF SEARCH 30 YEARS AGO.

(Special To The Times). AUCKLAND, Jan. 1

The reported discovery*., or a diamond field in. the North Island in a locality not. disclosed - recalls- the fact that, 30 years ago, a syndicate was formed in- Auckland to -exploit a prospective diamond field. A member of the syndicate was Air Seddon.- at that time Premier of New Zealand. ... .. .. ...

The story of its high hopes, which were dashed, is told by' Mr James Stefwart, of HelensyiUe, •„ who with the- late Mr Frank Jaggert and- Mr Jester, was also in the syndicate. Mr Stewart said, that a couple of ducks came into the possession of Mr Jester and in their gizzards were found a number of. small bright stones., He showed them to a man who had had experience with diamonds in South Africa and they, were pronounced' to be diamonds. Mr C. Ratjen, an Auckland chemist, gave the same verdict. The next thing was to discover where ' the ducks came from. They were traced to Mr F. Williams,'- a poultry merchant,, and thence to Mr Tooman, an Auckland auctioneer and it, was learned , that the ducks came from near Dargr.ville.. The matter had to be. handled diplomatically. A- syndicate' was formed and Mr .Jester set joubfor Northern Wairoa to locate the .prospective diamondheld. He went to a place near Dargaville, saw a. number of ducks, swimming; in a stream • and .collected amimberof.smalL shining, stones..-. Members .of the syndi-, cate t y vy?. rA:t that r stage,; stones : were sent to. the Government Analyst, who reported vthey were not tine diamonds • although. sthey .. might ..possess :some small, commercial value. ‘ t And, , b.said Mr.t Stewart, “that ; was ; .the. <end- of both’the syndicate and our hopes of. a-: diamond; field.” ■- v. , 5 y