LURE OF GOLD

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7904, 19 September 1929, Page 3

LURE OF GOLD

POSSIBILITIES IN EARTHQUAKE AREA PROSPECTORS AT WORK In the reefing and alluvial districts on the north-western portion of the South Island where huge displacements of the earth’s surface have taken place as a result of the earthquake fascinating conjectures are being made as to the possibilities of new reefs and auriferous gravels being revealed as the result of extensive exposures of rock* surfaces, says the Christchurch Times. Prospectors are already out in some districts searching for the “Mother lode,” the El Dorado of the old diggers’ dreams.

Soon after the earthquake an old miner, who had not been on the Coast since the ’seventies, was encountered in the Greymoutli express heading for the Lyell, where he know of a rich reef which lie was sure would be workable through the displacements that had taken place. His only regret was that he could not get through to Lyell that night. His is not an isolated case. Many of the old prospectors have again been smitten with the gold fever, but, of course, it is yet too. soon to say whether they have been correct in their prognostications.

In the Lyell and Murchison districts where rich reefs and alluvials were worked in the early days, and where the recent upheavals were greatest, the opinion is held by many of these old miners that valuable prospecting work has been done by the seismological agency, which, aided by the recent rains, should stimulate the formation of prospecting parties to thoroughly investigate the hills and earth slips in the vicinily.

Prospecting work was started early in the Lyell district, but about a fortnight after the big disturbance more severe shocks were experienced in the hills, bringing down more big slips, and this drove the prospectors out. However, work has again been resumed, and the Coast is watching with interest developments in this respect. That the gold is there is an acknowledged fuel, hut what the recent upheaval has unearthed remains to be seen. Already small finds have been made by the shrewd old prospector who keeps his good fortune to himself, but who knows when another big strike will be located? Then once more the Golden Coast will bo the Mecca of wealth and file home of mushroom towns. It is not only possible, but highly probable.