THAMES GOLDFIELD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 197, 3 August 1928, Page 7

THAMES GOLDFIELD

SIXTY-ONE YEARS OLD. OPENED ON AUGUST 1. On August 1, in the year 1867, Thames goldfield was proclaimed by the Hon. Dr. D. Pollen, who at that time was deputy-superintendent of the province of Auckland. Commissioner James Mackay arrived that day at Kauacranga, now Shortlamt with the 40 pioneer miners, and formally declared the field open. Twelve days later the first big discovery of gold was made on the Karanui Creek by Messrs Hunt, Clarkson, Cobley ami White in a mine named the Shotovej. The gold was showing in the face of a waterfall, ami the four lucky partners shared £40.000 between them. The immediate result of this rich discovery was a wild rush to Thames .the old paddle steamer Enterprise taking 300 to 400 men each trip. Schooners, cutters and even whaleboats were employed carrying people to the now goldfield. Later, the famous Caledonia reef was discovered, which eclipsed nil others in its richness and paid £657 000 in dividends the first year. The hanging wall of the reef was al most solid gold, and all the bullion was got within’2lo feet of the surface. Many other rich finds were made in later years, the richest being the Waiotahi which produced bullion to the value of £673,s34.—(Auckland “Star.”)