Gold Reef Discovered

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6619, 4 August 1931, Page 2

Gold Reef Discovered

MAORI PARTY’S SUCCESS OLD WORKINGS NEAR THAMES THAMES, Aug. 1. A party of Maoris working near Tapu have made an encouraging find of gold. The party, which has been working about the Black Swan claim, made several attempts to follow a two-foot loader which had been previously worked, but in each caso lost the run, and the men were on the point of ceasing work when they decided to consult an experienced miner, Mr. McDonald, who was driving on the old Royal claim near by.

As the result of his advico a start was made soriie distance up the hill above the provious workings, and soon after operations had commenced the cap of the reef was found and a sackful of good stone recovered. This was taken to Mr. McDonald’s plant and returned more than half an ounce to the dish. The party was later successful in driving and locating the reef, which is about 4ft. wide, and in the course of a short distance it showed every sign of functioning with the old Elukc reef, w r hich yielded a good Teturn when worked over 30 years ago. Tho present stone is carrying excellent values at! along. A syndicate has been formed in Thames and an offer made to tho Maoris of either a sale or the provision of capital, but the Maoris decided to continue until they had proved the value. Specimens of the stone seen in Thames were described as very promising.

The Lure in Victoria ENCOURAGING RESULTS MELBOURNE, July 18. The number of men prospecting and fossicking for gold in the numerous area of Victoria is given officially as about 5000. However, an official of tho Mines Department said recently that altogether, including farmers and country and city people who were employed otherwise part of tho time, the number would be more like 15,000. Signs and sounds of their activities are present by every stream and in every mountain gully in this belt, which extends from Stawell and Ararat districts away to tho far north-east. There are also many prospectors in other places closer to Melbourne. Spirals of smoke from camp fires rising above the gums, aud tho nng of pick, shovel and dish have brought life back to many remote places long deserted. Statistically the results are notable. Not all the June figures arc yet available, but for the previous five months of this year the increase in yield was 752G0z. line, valued at £31,9(18. The figures were: 1931, IG,3BGoz. fine, worth £G9,GOB; 1930, 88G0oz. ' fine, worth £37,G40. For the whole of 1930 the total was 24,119 oz. fine, worth £102,45G, showing a great increase in the latter part of the year. On the Bendigo gohllield fossickers and prospectors found 5170 z. in the last six months, and for the latter half of the period they were greatly hampered by rain. Altogether G7670z. was produced from tho field, made up of 41G(ioz. sdwt. from companies and tributers, and 2GO'J oz. lodwt. from private claims and alluvial workings. The total is 12290 z. in excess of the yield for the same period of last year. The greatest yields among the prospectors on tho field for the period wore 190 oz. 13dwt. from 210 tons treated by Lockett Bros., and 121 oz. from 30 tons by Yates and party".