PROSPECTING FOR GOLD.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 20, 20 November 1878, Page 3

PROSPECTING FOR GOLD.

(to the editor of the waipawa mail.) Sir, —A question lias often been asked docs gold exist in Hawke’s Bay ? To that query I unhesitatingly answer that if it is to be found in payable quantities, it must be looked for in the Rualiine ranges. I say this judging from the geological formation, and from the knowledge I possess of auriferous deposits, and the localities in which it is to be sought; and I may mention by way of preface that I have visited nearly all the Victorian diggings as well as those of Otago, and when in that province in August. 1863, I published a pamphlet description of the West Coast. There were no gold fields opened there, and Dr Hector, the Government geologist of that province, at the time stated his disbelief iu tin* existence of auriferous deposits existing in that direction. However, in opposition t«> this dictum of the Murchison of the South, I stated at the very commencement of the pamphlet above alluded t*» ** That the whole of the West Coast would be changed from a barren wilderness to a line of busy mining enterprise.” How literally this has been fulfilled, it is not necessary for me to sav, inasmuch as t‘**» immense yields of gold taken from the Coast are 100 well known to want auv support at my bands. Again, in the same month in the same year, I w rote to the Provincial Government of Nelson, pointing out my belief in the existence of gold in the IVlonis Sound, and received the following reply from J. C. Richmond, Esq., the then Provincial Secretary. Silt, —“ I have the honor to tender you tiie thanks of the Provincial Government for the information contained in your letter, at the B.tiue time to inform you that the Pelorus i* easy of access and inhabited, and if gold had existed there, I have no doubt it would have Wen discovered Ring before this. However, as there are number of diggers now stopping in Nelson. Vour letter shall be given publicity to. and i; they think proper they can peruse it.— I liave, the honor, «&c., J. C. Kilhmonp.” That letter was published iu the Nelson Examiner, and in the following May two distinct parties, Wilson and Clane, laid claim to the reward for the discovery of gold, they having found the precious metal in great quantities in the Wakamarina river on the Sound where I had indicated. I merely mention these facts simply to shew that I know at least a little about the subject I am speaking upon. Anti I would now sngg»—t that the Government or the public should initiate some steps for the thofugh prospecting of the Kiiabiuc nz ‘ -- ’*• A better time of year than the P ' **nt could not possibly be chosen, and doubt it would be, who can possibly imagine the rapid strides Hawke's Bay would make. Business of every kind would improve, new industries would anse, pr« -tv would increase in value, and the »olc of the provincial district would get such a push ahead that in a v * r y short time it would stand second to Done in New Zealand. I now leave the subject in the hands of the public, allowing them to deal with the matter as they may deem advisable. I am, &0., SAMUEL SYMMS