GOLD IN THE WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 405, 15 November 1879, Page 16

GOLD IN THE WAIRARAPA.

(From the New Zealand Times.) About a month ago we mentioned, the fact that certain samples of quartz which had been taken out of a reef near Featherston by the Government Geologist, and had been assayed at the Government Laboratory, were found to contain gold at the rate of 14 dwts. 1 r*rain, and 12 dwts. 1 grain to the ton° respectively. They were taken at random from a reef at least six feet wide, and perhaps far wider, as the foot-wall had not been cut. So far as the work in that particular district is concerned, we have not had any further news of importance to record of late ; but we believe that several parties are still actively engaged in taking out stone with a view of having the quality of the reefs satisfactorily determined. We have since heard that a sample of stone has been lately received from another part of the Wairarapa. This stone has just been assayed, and has turned out no less than at the rate of 2 ozs. 1G dwts to the ton. The samples were only about 10 or 12 lbs. of quartz, and, like those previously found near Featherston, did not contain any gold visible to the naked eye. Of course the information which has reached us is far too meagre for it to be relied upon as conclusvie evidence of a payable gold-field being discovered. Specimens are proverbially delusive ; but. as quartzreefing in the Tararua Ranges is not work which can be entered upon without a. considerable outlay of capital, there is no likelihood of a “ rush” to the place. Nevertheless the information is a piece of good news, which inspires a not unreasonable hope that a Wellington gold-field may soon be discovered. The last volume of the “ Victorian Statistical Register” shows the average return in that colony from the quartz mines there, where large quantities of stone are dealt with. From it we learn that the average yield from 874,717 tons of quartz crushed was 9 dwts. 12 99 grains. The lowest yield came from the Ballarat district, and was estimated at an average yield of 6 dwts. 16-97 grains per ton from 337,000 tons; and the highest yield came from the Maryborough district, and was returned at an average of 17 dwts. 10'38 grains from 38,000 tons. From this it will be seen that the prospects of a profitable mining industry being started in the "Wairarapa are apparently very good, if sufficient inducement can be offered to capitalists to speculate in the undertaking. In "Victoria .in 1878 there were 500,6070 z. of gold obtained from quartz mines, and only 268,231oz. from alluvial workings.