GOLD AND PLATINUM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2559, 21 July 1909, Page 5

GOLD AND PLATINUM.

REPORTED DISCOVERIES IN SOUTHLAND.

(Per Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, July 20. Excitement is at fever heat at Orepuke, and everyone is talking about black sand, platinum, and gold. • The correspondent of the “Southl and Times” explains that the beginning of the excitement was the discovery by a party of prospectors of a lodo carrying platinum in great quantities, so much so that the smelting expert, Mr. Wilder, said that if there was any. great quantity there would be a fortune in it, and it is reported that he lias offered a figure for a quarter share at once. The party has applied for a hundred acres S rospecting license. Consequent on this nd another party was got together, and they found the reef or lodo reported on Sunday to contain rich gold. This party has applied for a 150 acre prospecting license, and other parties are busy. In regard to the platinum, the “Times” correspondent was informed by a party* that, they had found a place where a dray could bo backed in and filled with the same substance as in the lode already referred to with just as large a share of platinum. In the words of the smelting expert Orepuke is inundated with platinum, at least it is said'to be. The correspondent of the “Southland Times” warns people about the danger of being precipitate, seeing that as yet everything is colored by the glamour of the rush, but he assures his paper none the less that all his information has been gathered from reliable sources and that he liae made sure of his facts so far as that has been possible. On top of all the other discoveries now comes news of the finding by an Invercargill syndicate of a coal seam near the same locality, containing the best coal this side of Westport. To-night the correspondent advises as follows: This thing has fairly taken possession of a lot of our .most reliable men. From a few miles across Wai.au right to Blue, Cliffs the whole beach for eight or nine Andes is every inch taken up. Men were coming into Orepuke last week with determination stamped upon’ their features, getting mining rights, and going away on the long, dreary rides to Blue Cliffs, riding all night and waiting for daylight to see to peg off some of the beach. Several parties left here on Sunday, and had to wait until Monday at daylight to peg off claims. Some were in time, and some too late. But what’s all this about. Now this is neither reef nor platinum lode. It is simply tin's. One of the good samples mentioned in last week’s notes came off this self-same beach, and the same stuff is to bo got in every shovel for miles along the beach, so if there is anything in the reports as to the minerals in the black sand no wonder it is rushed. People here are beginning to shake their heads, and say it is too good to be true, and that they don’t believe there is anything in the whole business. Meanwhile the works are being erected, the heavy machinery is being carted for them, and the manager is here and everywhere looking at the different claims and formations.