EARLY GOLD-SEEKERS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Grey River Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1669, 10 December 1873, Page 4

EARLY GOLD-SEEKERS IN NEW ZEALAND.

In the afternoon of the opening day of f the Nelson Exhibition, Judge Richmond, v addressing the spectators, said : — I have been requested to mention a circumstance of some interest in connection with the day of this opening. There is no man to whom, as colonists of New Zealand, we are under greater obligation to than to the great circumnavigator Captain James Cook, whose name has been associated with the magnilicent mountain which I see on that wall, so impressively represented by Mr Gully's pencil. (Applause.) Now it so happens that on this very day, ono hundred years ago, Cook took leave of these shores on his second return voyage to Europe. Our active secretary (Mr Rout) has suggested that it would be interesting to you to be reminded of this fact. • One hundred years brings great changes. The mention ' of Oook puts me in mind of another great navigator, whose connection with this Colony, aud this particular Province, curiously marks the changes which time brings about. -Tastnan, you are aware, was the discoverer of New Zealand. His first land-fall was made on the West Coast of this Province, very near the Buller. He was in search of gold, like all. the navigators of his period. There had been rumors of a large island in the Pacific full of gold, and inhabited by Jews. Is it not strange to think that Tasman and his crew absolutely hit upon "a payable diggings, without finding" it out? But they had not learnt to look for gold as we do, with the tin-dish, cradle, and long-torn. They expected to find it hanging round the neck, and from the ears of the natives. They were right enough about the gold. As to the Jews, they had not yet arrived. When the gold became an ascertained fact, we were not long without a good supply of those whom Sir Robert Peel used to call " gentlemen of the Hebrew persuasion." They are never far behind when gold is to be had ; and they are quite right too. This, then, ladies and gentlemen, is my apology for interrupting the band. It was thought that you would be interested by this reminiscence of our great benefactor, Captain James Cook.