THE HIKUTAIA GOLD RUSH.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7961, 3 September 1887, Page 2

THE HIKUTAIA GOLD RUSH.

MORE ASSAY RESULTS.

10,000ozs. TO THE TON.

The Auckland Herald's Paeroa correspondent wires : — An assay of the Hikutaia ore, made at Waiorongomai by Mr. Adams returned over-10,000ozs. of bullion to the ton. Assays by Mr. Charles Rhodes, at Paeroa, are almost incredible in their returns, but reliance must not be placed on these as samples of the general dirt, as they are from carefully picked stuff. Several parties from the Thames have visited " the new find " at Hikutaia, and, judging by the few feet of the reef exposed, all are pleased with its appearance. A track is to bo made from the junction of the Matatoki Creek to the mine. When it is completed it will be possible to ride to the mine. It is probable a paroel of quartz for test purposes will be taken out as soon as possible. ~

An ingot of bullion weighing 3oz sdwt was obtained on Wednesday by assay at the Bank of New Zealand from one pound weight of ore taken by Mr. J. H. Witheford from the face of the reef in the Prospectors' claim at Hikutaia. This stone, with others of a still richer appearanoe, had been on view, and as the ore referred to met with some ridicule as being unworthy of public exhibition, Mr. Whiteford decided to settle the question by having the pound of stone treated, the result being the extraction of the large percentage of bullien mentioned.

The prospector's claim is situated in the strike of tho Waitekauri belt of country, and the resemblance of the lode to that of the onco celebrated Waitekauri Company's mina justifies the belief that there is an unbroken channel of auriferous country striking through the district. Owing to dense forest and the rugged nature of thb country it will take some time to effect the necessary survey to finally decide these points, present surmises being based on recognised affinities and bearings taken by the compass. These to a certain extent may be taken as proof that there is a clearly defined reefing system on our goldfields, traceable and workable for miles, as in Australia, and that any doabt which has existed as to the permanency of lodes may be dispelled.