ALLUVIAL GOLD PROSPECTING.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1086, 24 September 1869, Page 3

ALLUVIAL GOLD PROSPECTING.

It is gratifying to knowthat one of the effects of the organization of the Hawke's Bay Gold Mining and Prospecting Co. has been to turn the attention of not a few practical miners, in this and other, provinces, to the probability of payable alluvial ground, as well as quartz reefs, being found in Hawke's Bay. About two years ago a man named " Scottie," who is well-known in Napier, and is an old and experienced Victorian and Otago gold-miner, happening to be on the banks of the Tutaekuri river, in the vicinity of Mr. Lowry's station, found indications of gold in various directions ; but especially in a deep gully on the western boundary of the run, about 35 miles from Napier. He (Scofctie) actually found a specimen of alluvial gold, which he brought into Napier and sold for, we are told, 17s. 6d. On Saturday last, two gentlemen rode out to examine the locality, and were informed at Mr. Lowry's station that a couple of prospectors were already at work at the spot mentioned. On proceeding thither they found two. Otago diggers busily at work " prospecting." In reply to questions, the prospectors paid that they had not yet got "the colour," but they were satisfied it was "very likely country." They had sunk some trial holes, had obtained the right kind of " bottom," and were determined thoroughly to prospect the river and the gullies running down to it., The two men live in a whare, and obtain their supplies from Mr. Lowry's station. Indications have also been repeatedly seen at Maraekakaho, as well as other localities.

We have not 5 heard anything further concerning the prospecting party which has gone out to the Kaimanawa country under the leadership of Mr. Baldwin ; nor are we aware that the Hawke's Bay Gold Prospecting and Mining Co. has, as yet, taken any active steps to send out a party. As Mr. Sweeney was unable upon so short a notice, to accept Mr. Tiffen's offer, it is to be hoped a competent leading prospector will speedily be found, and a party equipped and despatched. Meanwhile, as alluvial gold is usually more easily obtained than gold from quartz, — and with a far less expenditure of capital, — and as

the Tutaekuri is very much nearer and readily accessible (no hostile natives to fear) it may become a question whether it would not be advisable first thoroughly to prospect the country on the blanks of that river, and especially the deep gullies and creeks ; then, should the prospectors fail to find payable gold, they could proceed to prospect the Kaimanawa ranges. This is only thrown out as a hint.