A FORTUNE IN GOLD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 16 March 1928, Page 9

A FORTUNE IN GOLD.

FOUND' ON NEIGHBOUR’S OLA.IAI GOLD MINER DIES AT NINETY. The death of Mr. Alexander Ross, one of ehe oldest pioneers of the Thames goldfields, recalls a romantic story o* the early days—a. story that has eyei been a favorite in Thames when mining reminiscences were exchanged. The late Mr. Ross, of Coromandel, was the victim of one of the most tantalising fates ever known among gold-seekers. There are many strange stories of miners who never struck it rich, and among them is that of the deceased. The goddess Chance passed him by, but threw: we aUp into, his neighbor’s lap with, lavish hand.

Air Rios® was, with his late- partner, the discoverer of a patch of gold which panned out no less than £37O,(XX) to its owners in under five years—but not to Mr. Ross and liis partner. Ross and his mate, Gqulhurst, had tribute in 1885 on a line of what was known latei as the Hauraki reef. They had sunk a shaft to reach their own tribute, and through the mature of the country had to go. through a neighbor’s ground to get to their own claim. The mining inspector, after going through their work, condemned it, and instructed them to put in a tunnel and rise to attain their own ground through Legges’ tribute. They did so, and discovered a. golden patch, which was afterwards known as Legges’ reef, and later as Hauraki reef.

Not one penny piece for themselves ever came to the finders, Ross and Ooulthurst, but they put into the pockets of the owners of the tribute through which they had to gQ. a- sum close upon £400,000. Their own claim was a failure, aud they had the mortification of enriching neighbors through their discovery without benefiting themselves.

The late. Air. Ross was over 90 years of age.