LONG-BURIED GOLD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19945, 1 November 1934, Page 2

LONG-BURIED GOLD

DISCOVERER AWAITED Victoria has a cache of hidden treasure awaiting for some lucky finder! For 25 years, says an article in the Victorian Police Journal, many parties have searched for the loot from what is known as the Mclvor gold robbery of 1853, which is supposed by many to be hidden somewhere in the Heathcote district, 70 or 80 miles from Melbourne.

According to the article a private escort company left Mclvor Creek on July 20, 1853, in charge of 23230 z. of gold and £702 in money. At a point about four miles on the Mclvor side of the Mia Mia Inn, an attack was made on the party by a gang of robbers, who, after having wounded the driver and escort, made off with the boxes of gold and specie into the bush. Although the gang was subsequently captured and a portion of the money recovered, the bullion has never been seen since.

The spot where the robbery was committed is now private property owned by Mr Murdoch Ross, and many residents believe that the stolen gold is hidden somewhere- close by. Many searches have failed to reveal it, however.

One man came all the way from Canada to test a story told him by a mate who was believed to have been concerned in the robbery and who alleged that the gold was hidden in a hollow tree. He was unsuccessful in finding the tree. About four years ago another man went from New Zealand. This man said that he was the son of one of those involved in the hold-up and that his father had informed him that the gold was hidden in a waterhole. He, too, was unsuccessful. But hope still persists in the district that the missing gold will turn up some day.