The Waitoa Discovery.

Otago Witness, Issue 1875, 28 October 1887, Page 13

The Waitoa Discovery.

Mr J. Durward, shareholder in a company formed in Christchurch to work the Waitoa goldfield, who is acting as mining expert in Auckland in connection with the Christchurch syndicate, has sent the following telegram to a friend here: — "Pon't sell my shares. Would not be fair, as I am now satisfied something in wrong." Auckland, October 21. A test of 300cwt of stuff from Strange's property at Waitoa was completed at Eraser's place to-day, and gave an average result of 12s worth of bullion per ton. Gctober 24. Mr J. B. Smith, of Waitoa fame, who was in Hamilton on Saturday, then 6tatod that he courted every investigation respecting _ the apparent discovery. He says he. is ho satisfied with the genuineness of the field that he is not disposed to aell any of his shares, and further .says that none of his party had anything to do with salting, if such had been done. His firm belief is that the discovery is not only genuine, but will prove payable. Messrs Fra&er and Sons to-day completed tests of stuff from the properties of Gould and Strange, at Waitoa. In the former case the return was at the rate of 3s 4d per ton, whilst tho produce of the bullion from Strange's ground was at the rate of 13s per ton. A private telegram states that five tons of Waitoa stuff treated at Brown's Reduction Works, Thames, for Mr Anderson, of Christchurch, yielded sdwt of gold. It is stated that a telegram has been received from three experienced miners who have been prospecfciDg there for the past 10 days, and who state that the field is no good.

Messrs Price Bros., Thames, have been instructed to discontinue the manufacture of machinery for the Waitoa goldfield.