GOLD AND PLATINUM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2560, 22 July 1909, Page 5

GOLD AND PLATINUM.

THE SOUTHLAND DISCOVERIES

[Per Press Association.! INVERCARGILL, July 21. The rush and excitement at Orepuki continues, and riders are going out daily in search of prospects. Mr. John Moffett, solicitor, who was an actor m the 18JS0 rush to Longwood, has been to see xlie scene of the excitement, and returned with samples, which he considers good and is having analysed. Asked whether he thought the rush would “fizzle-out,” Mr. Moffett replied that he did not think so. The prospecting results having been so good, the claims have been pegged off for miles along the supposed line of reef, each applicant being allowed an area of 150 acres, Messrs Love and party having an area of 150 acres. The quality of the gold from tlie Orepuki and Longwood district is of the best, and worth the full value of £4 per ounce, and tho same thing may be said of the platinum, which lias been increasing in value as the demand for the substance for electric lighting mirposes had improved. In 1872 this mineral was worth only some £1 8s per ounce but in 1882 it had increased to £1 los, to £1 17s 6d in 1889,• £4 in 1892, and it had gone on increasing until to-day it was worth anything from £8 to £lO per ounce, more than twice the value of gold. Should the test come up to expectations, the chances are that the 1909 boom will be more pronounced than that,of 1880, big though that one was. He remembered it all. top well.