AMERICAN GOLD RUSH

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12042, 21 January 1925, Page 7

AMERICAN GOLD RUSH

GREATER THAN KIDNDYKE THOUSANDS FLOCKING TO THE MESA PAY FIELDS. TERRIBLE HARDSHIPS. By Telegraph.—Pres9 Assn. —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received January 20, 7.55 p.m.) NEW YORK, Januaiy 19. Telegrams from Hatch, New Mexico, report that what the old prospectors designate the greatest gold rush in the history of America has begun with' the opening of great placer mining works spreading over 35 .square miles of the Mesa district. Thousands -of. people are coming hy railways and in automobiles. The rush began when it was aunounced that several prospectors had panned out as mu'Ti as 90,000 dollars’ worth of gold dust within a few weeks. BIGGER THAN NOME BEACH. Old Klondike miners declare that the Mesa workings are bigger than the famous pav sands of Nome Beach Alaska. Prospectors are being subjected to terrible hardships, a tegrifio snowstorm having swept over the diggings where there is little shelter available and; no fuel except mesquite hush, the area being a veritable desert. Many, women, girls and mothers with babes in arms are among the thousands who crowdlhe Hatch field: Many prospectors are digging m ditches all night V long, light ’being supplied by automobiles, the motors of which are being used; to generate electric current. ■ . . ; ARPOR UNQUENCHED. Bitter, cold and biting snows have failed to check the diggers who wash their pay dirt in iron hand-pans or Mexican rockers of antiquated type. Adventurers, attracted by the reports which spread over-night through tho country, are pouring into the south-west of and the desert is pock-marked with innumerable shallow pits which'must necessarily be dug undeo 1 the law before a claim can be registered. ■ ■■■■■ ■ Gold appears plentifully, varying from fine* to coarse dnst, and nuggets valued at 10 dollars. ' v