THE EARLY GOLDFIELDS.

Southland Times, Issue 17193, 12 November 1912, Page 8

THE EARLY GOLDFIELDS.

VISIONS OF WEALTH,

OPERATIONS ON STEWART ISLAND,

(Tlie Southland Times, 20th November, ILJ7.)

The accounts from the Pahi, Longwood. and the other goldfields in the Province are Still encouraging. Small parcels of gold are continually arriving in town, and the general prospects tire most promising. The latest discovery of the precious meal has occurred at Stewart Island, which is situate a short distance from Bluff Harbour. Our own correspondent writes as Yellows ;

It will be in the' recollection of your readers that for some lime past rumours have 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 rumours were borne out by personal inspection. I may mention that as far as I could ascertain there are only throe 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 tHo f foot of the high coup 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, Kuggcdy—Beach. By pursuing the track lit rough the bush which brandies off at this point, and a very tedious and intricate one it is, you may reacli Codfish Bay, after at least two hours’ hard travelling. The diggings are situate on the beach, and the stripping is about IS inches of sand. The washdirt consists of ghoul 3 feet of rubble or grave!, in which gold and black sand are found. Longuet's party are well supplied with appliances, and are doing tolerably well. There are quartz reefs'also in the vicinity. On Ruggedy Beach, Todd's party of two are engaged, washing the hanks of a small creek. The washing consists of a. layer of black sand, about 6 indies from ttie surface : the second layer varies from 12 to IS inches, with a bottom of about 0 inches of ..lack sand, lying on the lop of cemented red sand. The appliances are inferior. This parly are making wages. At Ouronli Beach, in Smoky Cave, between Blaekrock and Whiterock Point. Baxter's party of two are sluicing the bed of a creek Mowing into the sea. Considerable work is being done here in carrying the water or ihiming, in order to work the auriferous ground of tlic lied of the creek, which is composed of mineral black sand. This, 1 believe, is yielding fair returns. On the whole, allhough the various jiarlies may he doing well, there is not room, as far as I can judge, in their vicinity, for many more. indeed. I believe all ll)c different beeches and small creed;s running down to Ihe sea from the interior, from Pori William, northwards, which are numerous. would, in ill probability, jiaV equally ns well as those now working. Ttie real deposit of gold lias not been discovered. The expense and difficulty of getting through the hush to the interior. at the present time precludes prospecting from being carried on to any extent. When, however, the parties now working have washed up, they will doubtlessly proceed further into ttie interior, and he unaided to discover the sourei the quartz reefs—of which there are many indications. The gold already found is of a tine description. Longuet's party are gelling ttie heaviest. The gold which some time since was found at Port William was of quite a different character from auv that 1 saw at the above beaches, being nuggely and not water worn. Several hali'-jienny-weighl nuggets having been found, and oilier indications were not wanting of heavy gold being in the interior. Tito precise locality of course cannot be determined upon. Iml probably, if 1 might hazard a conjecture, it is situated in the long Gully, at the foot of .1101101 Ancient. running across the Island, having numerous tributaries branching from it. Small crafts can lie opposite Rugged Beach, and other small beaches southward to Port William during westerly and easterly weather, but it might he dangerous when ' northerly winds prevail.