The Early Discoverers of Gold in OtagO.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 19

The Early Discoverers of Gold in OtagO.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Some time ago a Balclutha lady, Miss Christina R. Mitchell, contributed a letter to the Witness on the above subject, in which she stated that Edward Peters — now an old man and in destitute circumstances — was the original discoverer of gold in the Tuapeka district, and as such he deserved some assistance -from the gold miners, and the people of Otago in general. In a letter following, I advised that a petition be presented to Parliament praying for a grant of money to Peters in recognition of the service he had rendered to the country. The petition has been duly presented and considered by the Petitions Committee and here is the result : — The report states that through the long lapse of time and other causes, the petitioner has not established his claim to a reward for the discovery of a goldfield in Otago. They, however, recommend his case to the favourable consideration of the. Government, as one to bo dealt with under the head of charitable aid, to the extent of £50, on condition that an equal amount be raised by public subscription. Mr Editor, I would able any sane and sensible person why the committee in one breath f>ay he has no clnim, and in the next breath recommend a grant — under conditions — to Peters of £50. Such a decision bears on the face of it an amount of stupidity that thoroughly explains the reason of

the awful mess that New Zealand politics are> drifting into. But the fact still remains that Peters' claim to be the original discoverer of gold in Otago is as true as- truth itself. I have now before me a copy of Mr Garvie's (the chief surveyor of Otago in 1858) report. The original is in the Provincial archives of Otago. It states that the best sample of gold which had been brought into town — Dunedin — was found in the south branch of the Tokomairiro River, and the sample indicated a payable goldfield — (the locality known as Woolshed Creek) — • where Edward Peters, a native of Bombay, used to wash gold from the sands of the river. There is also testimony to prove that Peters obtained gold prior to the Gabriel's Gully rush, in a gully on Day and Bowler's run, near the south bank of the Tuapeka River, and consequently not fat from the jewel of Otago— Gabriel's Gully. In the face of such facts the legislators think Peters should be rewarded in. the spirit of charity instead of in the spirit of justice and right. I may add for the information of your readers that personally I am totally unacquainted with Peters or the kind-hearted friends ia Otago who are trying to get some benefit to> him in his old age. During the early days of Gabriel's Gully, however, I have heard it oftea remarked that Peters, a coloured man, was the first to obtain gold in the Tuapeka districtSome weeks ago I was talking to a" former resident of Wetherstones. He said that he had often heard Peters' name mentioned as the original discoverer of Tuapeka as a gold-bearing district. Sir, as your paper is extensively perused by gold-miners in all parts of New Zealand, I would appeal to them to make some effort to enable Peters to at .least secure the £50 from the Government. I never knew them to fail yet when any deserving object was brought under their notice for a little pecuniary assistance.

There are also many who are not engaged afc gold-mining in Otago'who give their mite towards raising the £50. I am sure there are many living in Dunedin and other parts of Otago who can remember the unexpected era of prosperity that dawned on them through the advent of the Tuapeka gold discoveries.

Sir, if you would kindly consent to receive subscriptions to enable Peters to obtain the £50 from the Government, it would materially assist in securing the success of the object. By consentiug to do so, and adding a footnote to this letter fco that effect, I will forward you £1 as my donation to the object. — I am, &c., Andrew G. Nicol. Greymouth, August 26. [We shall be happy to receive donations as suggested, and will acknowledge them under the " Notes and Queries " heading as received. —Ed.]