The Mahia Goldfield.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 185, 21 August 1888, Page 3

The Mahia Goldfield.

BETUBN OF THE WANDERER—HOPE DEFEBRED. (ax our special mis-kbpobter.) Some villains, desiring to blacken my character, had the audacity to mesmerise me and place me on the Waikanae beach with an empty brandy bottle at my side. This will satisfactorily account for the very questionable position in which the Sergeant found me. But I was determined not to be done in that way. I knew one of the Hussars—a young gentleman of sporting proclivities—had a blood horse, so I borrowed this from him and with the half-sovereign that you gave me in my pocket, I started. I found the roads in a frightful state and dreadful bad travelling, and the rivers were also considerably swelled by the late rains. More by good luck than by good management, I at length arrived at the Mahia, hungry, worn out and thirsty. Fitzgerald changed the half-sovereign for me. According to instructions, the first thing I did was to go along and see Bendall. He did not seem much like one who had discovered an El Dorado, and his honors seemed to sit lightly upon him. He is a eivil kind of fellow, and asked me to take a seat, •> Come from Gisborne, I suppose ?” “ Yes, just arrived; and a very rough journey I had.” “ What’s brought you here, anyway ?” “ Well,” said I, rather dubious as to how I should broach the subject, “it is said in Gisborne that you have found a goldfield.” •• Did you lose the d thing ?" •• Not I, indeed, but I want to find out if the report is true.”

•• Oh, that’s all right, you can fire ahead if that’s what’s the matter.” “ But I want you to give me some information on the matter.” “ Look here young man, I’m too old a bird to be caught with chaff, and if you think you’re going to chaff me you’re mistaken 1” 11 Now let us come to some arrangement; I am here as Special for the Standard.” “ What 1 the Gisbobnb Standard ?” “ The same, and it is for it I want the information. ” Why didn’t you say so before ? Put on your hat straight away and come with me,” and B. set off, I following at his heels. After a good deal of clambering up hills and down into gullies, not made easier by the damp and slippery soil, and floundering through the tall fern and toi-toi, we arrived at a spot whence B. critically surveyed the surrounding country, evidently for spies, Being satisfied on this point, we both plunged into some dense bush and shortly after emerged on the bank nf a river, and he descended into the bed. •• See there ’.” says B. pointing to a spot on the bank. I looked, but could see nothing but the stony bank. f‘ lam showing to you,” said he, ’’ what I would show to no other living being. Examine closely that part where the stone is broken off.” I looked, and could scarcely believe my eyes, for there distinctly before me was the much talked of— GOLD. “ Then, it is true ?” was all I could mutter. “ True I Of course it is, and you may, if you desire, take some of the richest specimens with you. Only, whatever you do, don’t mention the locality to a soul,” We broke off enough specimens to fill my pockets, hat, and pocket handkerchief, and prepared to return. Darkness was rapidly coming on. so we had to hurry, and a fearful trouble it was to get back, I was so loaded. I borrowed a candle box from Fitzgerald’s, and put my valuables into it. They were worth between 60 and 60 pounds. I found it would be awkward to carry the box on horseback, so I took the liberty of selling the horse to pay my board and grog score, and I pledged the office credit for the hire of a whaleboat. Everything is in readiness, and we start first thing to-morrow morning. (Our reporter has turned up and so has the bill for boat hire, but not the specimens. He explained that they arrived off the breakwater all safe, when they saw a black flag, at half mast, which could portend nothing but the death of a member of the Board, This affected him so much that he caught a crab, and the boat getting broadside on, she was capsized on the bar. Her occupants, thanks to the little water there, were able to walk ashore, but all efforts to recover the box of specimens have proved fruitless. Our rep. still swears they were on board, although one of the crew says that any specimens must have been in bottles, as he is positive that the box contained nothing but bottles,,l