KAWARAU GOLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21253, 5 August 1932, Page 12

KAWARAU GOLD

ARMY OF PROSPECTORS MANY "FOSSICKING" PARTIES GOOD RESULTS OBTAINED A SPIRIT OF SATISFACTION [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] CROMWELL, Thursday Judging by results obtained by several parties of fossickei's along tho banks of tho Kawarau River since tho closing of the dam at tho outlet of the river at Lake Wakatipu, tho observer is' inclined to discount the oft-repeated opinion that tho day of the pan and hand-cradle is over, and that the term " easy gold " is applicable only to conditions obtaining in the early days of goldmining in Otago. Although most of the men working along tho banks of tho Kawarau River havo been using the most primitive of methods for winning gold, tho results reported in several instances havo been very encouraging. On Thursday of last woek tho Waitere stretch of- the river, about 15 miles from Cromwell, was the scene of tho latest '"strike," the men concerned being a party of three unemployed —Messrs. W. Betts, L. Patorson and S. Mackaill. Operations were commenced on a stretch of beach, and bottom was reached at a depth of 3ft. The wash was richly gold-bearing, while the crevices of tho rock when scraped out were found to contain a lot more gold. Working with pans, shovels and small sluice-box, they were rewarded with 7Aoz. for the first three days' work, while in 10 days the return was lloz. News Travels Fast A Herald representative who visited the spot on Sunday, found the men hard at work, and was informed that returns were improving rather than diminishing. A single panful of wash yielded over an ounce of gold, and providing weather conditions justify the gates of the dam being kept closed for a further period tho miners concerned seem to bo assured of a handsome return. Such news usually travels fast, and it was not long bofore several other parties had set up their gear and commenced work in tho vicinity. On Sunday about 25 people were busy excavating and washing dirt in a stretch of about 50yds. In the early days a dredge operated on this spot, but it is said that this particular piece of beach was too high to bo reached by tho buckets, and most atten-* tion was given to the opposite bank of tho river. So poor were the results obtained, however, that tho locality was given the name of Starvation Flat. Reticence of Miners Naturally most of the miners wero reticent when information was sought as to returns being obtained, as the slightest rumour of a strike of gold quickly brings a host of other fossiakers to tho spot. In one case, just below the Roaring Meg Creek, where a rich find was reported recently, tho area became so congested that there was not room enough to swing a pick. The Waitere party worked quietly and obtained quito a lot of gold before making the news public. On Sunday their wives and families were present and tho beach had quite a picnic atmosphere. Mcsdames Betts and Paterson proudly displayed two bottles of washed gold. Where the men were working gold was often plainly discernible to tho naked eye. After" picking those pieces out tho rest of the wash would bo put through tho sluice-box. The crevices proved parti- ' cularly rich and tho largest pieces of gold were 'found there. A few yards further along wero three women and a man fossicking round among the crevices and getting quite good colour. They would make good pocket money, for they were only out for tho day. Youthful Enthusiasts Next to them wero two parties with the old Chinese type of cradles. On lifting the tray off ono ot tho cradles the mat was seen to bo well covered with fine* gold. These men although reticent as to what gold they had won, seemed to be more than satisfied with their results. Some young Invercargill _ enthusiasts camped just above and working crevices at Waitere already have several ounces to their credit. They say that they are now striking it richer and during the next few days expect to do very well. They have more than obtained enough gold' for the expense of coming lip, with a track and gear from Invercargill, and hope to make good wages on this spot. Of course many on the river are barely making 30s a week, but it is a well-known fact that there have been many very good returns and there are many who havo not shifted from the spot whore they started when the gates wera closed. The particular spot at Waitere, on the Kawarau River, must be regarded as one of the " finds" of tho river, since the gates have been closed, as before when tho gates havo been shut fossickers have not bothered with this section. It is estimated that gold worth a substantial threefigure sum has already been taken from this stretch of the river, and if the present weather conditions justify the closing of tho gates for another week this should be greatly increased. This is particularly satisfactory in view of tho simple equipment being used. Oars Line River Banks Cars lino the banks of the Kawarau on Sundays and people from Cromwell still find enjoyment in a day's " fossicking," while unemployed are working in the crevices and tunnelling round Bannockburn. Just below the bridgo at Alexandra, on the Molyneaux, several enthusiastic parties wero working feverishly on Sunday. Small boys were there with a very varied assortment of pans and dishes, while ono lad had his' mother's meat dish. He proudly displayed a speck of gold, which ho obtained from the " wash-up." A fmo nugget weighing loz. 7dwt. was on view in Cromwell on Saturday. This came from the Wevis, about 20 miles away, and was obtained, with others, by a miner tunnelling during the week. Work in the high country is suspended on sluicing claims, all tho water freezing hard. Tunnelling is therefore carried out. The largo nugget had tho faint mark of a pick on it, where tho miner had struck it during excavation. Altogether, although some may bo only making a small wage, there seems to be a spirit of satisfaction among the workers on tho river, and tho prevailing conditions are ideal for working beaches and crevices.