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DISCOVERY OF GOLD AT STEWAM'S ISLAND.

(feom ottb own cobbbspondent.) ♦ Stewart's Island, Oct. 31, 1867. It will be in the recollection of your readers that for some time past rumors nave been spread that gold was discovered on the Island two or three months since, but the statements were so contradictory that no certain reliance could be placed on them. Having, however, received intelligence of an authentic character, I was induced to take a trip here, and judge for myself to what extent the various rumors were borne out by personal inspection. I may mention that as far as I could ascertain there are only three parties at work — one of the largest consisting of four men, known as Longuet's party, who are engaged at Codfish Bay, opposite Codfish Island, at the foot of the high cone, called Rugged Peak. At this place, however, the surf is so great that a boat can scarcely live in it, and reaching this point from the sea is therefore extremely dangerous. The only safe way is by landing on Rugged — or, as it is called, Ruggedy — Beach. By pursuing the track through the bush which branches off at this point, and a very tedious and intricate one it is, you may reach Codfish Bay, after at least two hours hard travelling. The diggings are situate on the beach, and the stripping is about 18 inches of sand. The washdirt consists of about 3 feet of rubble or sand, in which gold and black sand is found. Longuet's party are well supplied with appliances. There are quartz reefs also in the vicinity, which I believe are being worked with tolerable advantage. On Ruggedy Beach, Todd's party of two are engaged, washing the banks of a small creek. The washing consists of a layer of black sand, about 6 inches from the surface ; the second layer varies from 12 to 18 inches, with a bottom of about 6 inches of black sand, laying on the top of cemented jed sand. The appliances are inferior. This party are making wages. At Ourouti Beach, in Smoky Cove, between Blackrock and Whiteroek Point, Baxter's party of two are sluicing the bed of a creek flowing into the sea. Considerable work is being done here in carrying tbe water or fluming, in order to work the auriferous ground of the bed of the creek, which is composed of mineral black sand. This I believe is yielding fair returns. On the whole, although the various parties may be doing well, there is not room, as far as I can judge, in their vicinity, for many more. Indeed, I believe all the different beaches and small creeks running down to the sea from the interior, northwards to Port William, which are numerous, would, in all probability, pay equally as •well as those now working. The real deposit of gold has not been discovered. The expense and difficulty of getting through the bush to the interior, at the present time precludes prospecting being carried onto any extent. When, however, the parties now working have washed up, they will doubtlessly proceed further into the interior, and be enabled to discover the source — the quartz reefs — of which there are many indications. The gold already found is of a fine description. Longuet's party are getting the heaviest gold that has yet been found at Port William. It is of quite a different character to any that I have seen, being nuggety and not water worn. Several half-pennyweight nuggets have been found, and other indications are not wanting of^heavy gold being in. the interior. The precise locality of course cannot be determined upon, but probably if I might hazard a conjecture,it is situated near Long Gully, at the foot of Mount Anglesey, running across the Island, having numerous tributaries branching from it. Small crafts can lie opposite Rugged Beach, and other small beaches southward of Porfc William during westerly and easterly weather, but it might be tUngerous when northwesterly or "west.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18671104.2.10

Bibliographic details

Southland Times, Issue 745, 4 November 1867, Page 3

Word Count
666

DISCOVERY OF GOLD AT STEWAM'S ISLAND. Southland Times, Issue 745, 4 November 1867, Page 3

DISCOVERY OF GOLD AT STEWAM'S ISLAND. Southland Times, Issue 745, 4 November 1867, Page 3

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