RUMOUR OF GOLD FOUND NEAR WANGANUI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 822, 25 April 1868, Page 1 (Supplement)

RUMOUR OF GOLD FOUND NEAR WANGANUI.

We find from the Wanganui Times that a report reached there that gold had been discovered at the Waitotara, by Mr. W. F. Russell and Captain Shuttleworth. A specimen brought down and placed in the hands of Mr. Myer, watchmaker, was pronounced to be of excellent paying quality, but the locality whence it came was kept a profound secret. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, several parties left in search of it, but by Sunday morning the gold fever had raged to such a pitch that horseflesh was in great requisition, and several parties started shortly after daylight. Captain Shuttleworth conducted a few to the long coveted spot, but lo ! there was not the slightest indication of the precious metal there ! ! Chagrined and crestfallen, the equestrians returned to town, leaving, perhaps, a hundred poor men to rough it as they best could for the night. A Committee appointed to/investigate the alleged discovery of gold at the Wai-

totara, met at the- Albion Hotel oit Tuesday last, 21st inst., when it was decided that the investigation should commence with Mr. Myers, who received the gold and clay for analysis, and who gave his statement clearly and satisfactorily. The adjourned meeting of the above Committee was held on Wednesday, 22nd instant, and it was decided to wait upon Mr. Russell, at his own house at 7 o'clock, at which hour he had expressed his willingness to receive the Committee and give all the information in his power. Eight of the comirittee met Mr. Russell, who said — I believe the specimen now shown to me to be the same that I gave to Mr.' Powell to take to Mr. Meyers ; I put the specimen into the paper in the gully ; the first specimens I obtained were put into paper, which Mr. Shuttleworth's dog ran away with ; we then (Shuttleworth and I) collected other specimens and put them in paper ; the specimen of clay in the bag was not the same as that from which I had taken the specimen in the paper. The specimens of clay were put into a dish in Captain Shuttleworth's house ; the specimen in the paper was put into my bag on the side table ; when I was leaving the house the specimen of clay was also put into my bag: ; ■was out of my sight occasionally from Sunday afternoon till Monday afternoon ; when I re-opened the paper in my office I did not think the contents were different to my impression of them in the gully ; I was at Mr. Meyers' a few minutes after Mr. Powell; the specimen in the paper ■was shown to me by Mr. Myers ; I did not then see any difference in the appearance of the specimen ; Captain Shuttleworth's man Bob, was at the house all the time I was there. The man Bob may possibly have seen me put the paper into the bag ; I have not been to Captain Shnttleworth's since I came home on that occasion;* l have no suspicion whatever that tho specimen in the paper now shown to me has been tampered with since I, as I believe, put it into the paper in the gully ; I took all the specimens in the paper off one lump of clay or sandstoneT* except a small portion taken by Captain Shuttleworth from another lump ; the portion contributed to the paper parcel appeared to contain the largest speck of gold we had got. When I put the specimen into the paper I noticed the presence of what I call talc in them in large quantities, but I also saw another substance which I hoped was gold, but feared was only mundic. I collected it and put it into tho paper. I was clearly of opinion that it was either gold or mundic. A meeting of the committee, appointed at the public meeting on Monday evening to collect subscriptions for the purpote of equipping a prospecting party, was held on tho 21st inst., at the Rutland Hotel. There were present — Messrs. W. Taylor, Ballance, Robinson, McDonough, Rowe, and Holloway. Mr. W. Taylor was voted, to the chair, and the following resolutions were passed :—: — "That the committee take steps to collect nione}', and Captain McDonnell be requested to proceed up the river with a prospecting party to be hereafter selected." " That the up-river prospecting party consist of "three practical diggers under the leadership of Captain McDonnell." " That the committee canvass the town for subscriptions on Friday." ''That Mr. McDonough-bo appointed treasurer of committee." j It now only depends upon the liberality of the people of Wanganui whether a prospecting party be sent out. The committee are determined that thoroughly , practical men shall be selected, and from Captain. McDonnell's knowledge of. tho Maori language, and influence with the natives, the party will no doubt have the rangership of the country from here to Taupo.

How to Destroy Rats. — Common ground planter of Paris mixed with dry corn meal placed in the way of rats, on a board, will clear the place offchem. Rats hate the smell of young elder eaves, and will not go near them. Managesint of Poultry. — A correspondent furnishes an American paper with the following : — I change my roosters every year or two, and am never troubled with the chickens having the gapes. Broken bones increase the supply of eggs. Tobacco sterns in the bottom of the roosts are said to keep off lice. Education and Labour. — The New York Tribune says that " England is in earnest about education, and the United States are pointed to as having a successful system. But there is a great difficulty, for where children can earn fonr cunts a week," their parents will be tempted Jo keep them from school."