FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22613, 29 December 1936, Page 4

FIFTY YEARS AGO

GOLD AT WHANGAREI DISCOVERY AT KAURI MOUNTAIN Although Whangarei is now generally regarded as one of the most thriving and progressive towns in North Auckland/ there are few people to-day ■who would attribute any part of its success to the discovery of gold. Fifty years ago, however, the discovery of gold in .payable quantities at Kauri Mountain, Whangarei Heads, was exciting much interest as is shown by the following extract from the New Zealand Hkkald, of December 29, 1886: — "On several occasions it has been reported that gold has been discovered at Kauri Mountain, Whangarei Heads. Quartz has been occasionally found containing gold, and hopes have been cherished that a rich discovery would yet be made. On Tuesday afternoon, the following telegram was received by the police superintendent at Auckland from Constable D. Gordon, of Whangarei:—• •' 'Two ruen report the discovery of payable gold at Kauri Mountain, Whangarei Heads. They state they washed one ounce of gold from three dishes on the beach below high water mark. There is also a reef which will run three ounces to the ton on private property adjoining. They have wired the Minister of Mines for protection.' "Gold has been found at intervals in various parts of the Whangarei district, specimens of auriferous stone having come into possession of the local manager of the Bank of New Zealand. Some specimens have been obtained from the shingle bed of the creek at the back of the township and also from quartz reefs out toward Alaunjjntapere. A number of settlers have gieat confidence that Whangarei will yet become a gold /producing district and some parties are ready to embark their capital in mining enterprises wherever the prospects warrant such a step.