THE CHAUDIERE GOLD FIELDS, CANADA.
The Chaudiere is a considerable stream which Las its source in Lake Megantic, about one hundred miles south of Quebec. It flows through a highly picturesque and cultivated valley, to which it gives its name. In its course the main stream, as well as its numerous tributaries, have been found to yield gold in greater or lesser quantities. Forty-eight years ago a woman, engaged in washing found a large nugget of gold, which she sold for a trifle as a curious stone. In 1834 woman found a large nugget under similar circumstances, but as the gold fields of California had not then opened up, nor those of Australia been discovered, her good fortune attracted little attention. In 1849 a small company was formed for exploring and working for gold on the Chaudiere. Considerable capital was expended, and a great deal of gold was found, but not enough to enable the directors to declare a dividend. The operations were discontinued, and the works allowed to fall into decay. About .fourteen pounds in weight of nuggets, varying from half an ounce to seven ounces, were exposed in the Exhibition of 1851.
Since the abandonment of the works a few of the neighbouring habitues have obtained considerable quantities by means of washing with tin pans. As few visited the locality, they managed to conceal their great success until a year ago, tfhen a new party struck upon a deposit so rich that secrecy was no longer possible. The result has been that a gold fever raged all summer, and threatens to break out again with increased fury whenever gold washing can be resumed. The explorations of the disnf tlip siirvfK.ia.Cupola rally in the district south of Quebec, that it is not equally distributed, and that it 1s doubtful whether, excepting in the valley of the Chaudiere, it will be found in sufficient quantity to warrant the expenditure of capital in its working. During last season the men engaged to give one fourth of the gold foifnd as a tribute ; as this, however, depended entirely on their own good faith, it is impossible to estimate the average yield per man. One party of four during eleven days' work, gave up 2 lb. 9 oz. as tribute ; another party of five, during three days' work, gave 1 lb. 2 oz. Some others gave quantities more or less reasonable, but by far the greater number made no return whatever.
THE CHAUDIERE GOLD FIELDS, CANADA.
Lyttelton Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1241, 26 May 1864, Page 3
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