TOKOMAIRITRO GOLD FIELDS—NEW DISCOVERIES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 243, 11 July 1861, Page 4

TOKOMAIRITRO GOLD FIELDS—NEW DISCOVERIES.

The following letter has been handed to us by his ITonor the .Superintendent, for publication for general information. Having received it only shortly before going to press, we have no time to comment on it, excepting to notice the energy displayed by Mr. Read in his researches, and to compliment him upon his at once placing the information of his discovery at the service of the Government. Should this turn out a remunerative gold field, Mr. Read, in justice, will be entitled to a reward. 'Tokomairi.ro, 4th June, 1861. To Major Richardson.', fyc. Sib, —I take the liberty of troublingj’ou with a short report on the result of a gold prospecting tour, which I commenced about a fortnight since, and which occupied me about ten days. During that period I travelled inland about thirty-five miles, and examined the ravines and tributaries of the Waituhuha and 7’aurapika river*. My equipment consisted of a tent, blankets, spade, tin dish, butcher’s knife, and about a 1 week’s provisions. I examined a large area < of country, and washed pans of earth in differ- ] ent localities. I found in many places pros- i pects which would hold out a certainty that i men, with the proper tools, would be munifi- i cently remunerated,-—and in one place, h r ten t hours’ work with pan and butcher's knife, I t was enabled to collect about seven ounces of f gold. , I have now had constructed proper machi- t aery and tools, and will be able, in the course i of a few days, to report with more certainty, r. Mr. John Hardy, the member for the district, v will accompany me, and on his return commit- v uicate personally with your Honor, llis earn- ;i estness in favour of a gold-field discovery lias i so pleased me that I have been induced *to t make him my confidant, and lie has kindly 1 placed his team at my disposal. ■ 1 Had I made anything like an exhibition of 1 my gold, the place would have been deserted i by all the adult inhabitants next day, and the t farmers, would have suffered seriously from a v neglect of agricultural operations at this season •f the year. Although the being able to work secretly fur a time would gnatly benefit me, / feel it my duty to impart these facts. To know'that. v the stream of population must set through r AVaihola rather than Oamaru, I consider it important for you to know. 3 These communications are made in confi- ! deuce that my secret is safe with Mr. Richard- 1 son ; but if a disclosure is of any benefit to the 1 public interest, you are at liberty to treat this c as a public communication to the Superintend- f ent. Mr. Hardy will be in town in the course 1 of a week, aml*l think perhaps you might do f well to await bis return, when he will impart the result of his trip. At all events, I leave 1 myself as a client, tinder your Honor’s patron- 3 age, convinced that by so doing I take the f most certain course to insure the benefit to v which I may some day be considered entitled 3 for this important discovery. Mr. Hardy will be able to show yon what 1 t think may be specimens of copper ore ; if it is L so, there is great quantities in the mountains, and rich seams of coal iu its vicinity. s I have the honor to be, j Your obedient servant, 6 Thos. Gabriel Read. t —W itnessy June 8.