ALMOST HAD EARS SLICED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 499, 22 July 1932, Page 5

ALMOST HAD EARS SLICED

A STORY FROM OTAGO OLD DAYS ON GOLDFIELDS In view of the renewed interest that is being taken in gold mining in Central Otago, a story of hew the prospectors Hartley and Riley nearly had their ears slit may bear repetition. The Molyneux River was exceptionally low on one occasion, and in a bend below Cromwell, which later became known as Hartley and Riley Beach these two men secured a fabulous return. On the lodging of their claim for the Government subsidy at the Warden’s Court, the news became public property, and when they returned to the beach they found that a small 1 rush had set in. In the meantime the river had risen and the returns were very small, with the re suit that Hartley and Riley were accused of causing a false rush, the goldfields punishment for which was slit ears. Preparations for this were being made when it was pointed out by v. the accused that the river had risen, covering the rich layer of gravel. On one of the prospectors going into deep water in the river and bringing a payable pan ashore as proof of his contention the penalty was.remitted.