The Teetulpa Diggings.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 2007, 20 December 1886, Page 2

The Teetulpa Diggings.

HOW THE FIELD WAS DISCOVERED,

A correspondent of the Northern Argus gives the following account of the discovery of the field Mr Thornes Brady, of Lancelot, had been prospecting on and off during the last two years, and was joined about three months ago by a young man named Thee. Smith of Mnndoora. They were on their way to some country sitxy miles from here when, their bread supply failing, Mr Brady proposed that they should camp at Tonkin’s Dam, Teetulpa, to bake a damper. If they had had a supply of bread they would not have camped there. Mr Brady proposed that Mr Smith in the meantime should go fossicking. Accordingly Smith travelled several miles and was returning up what now constitutes Brady’s Gully, when be was overtaken by a thunderstorm which caused him to seek shelter behind a blue bush. Thu occurred just about sundown. When the shower was over Smith walked further up the gully, and turned around carelessly to gaze at the departing sun be espied some glistening objects on the bare slate rook. Hastening to the spot be found what he was in search of, gold. With sis or seven nuggets in bis possession he hastened to the camp with this greeting. “ Well, I believe we have succeeded at last." Brady—“ Go to pot." Smith—‘Yes, I've discovered gold." Brady —“ Whe:' is it f" Smith-“ Hera it is.” Brady— “ kind, or the wind will blow it away It w.,s very windy. Smith—“Ah, there’s no fear of it Mowing this away ’’—exhibiting some chunky nuggets. The discoverers were in high spirits, but were fearful test some other per* son might find the gold as there was a party camped near them. They spent the following day hunting to avert suspicion, and two days later when their neighbours had taken their departure unearthed some more nuggets, and hastened, transported with joy, to report the discovery.