miles
along a capital road, we reached the high land overlooking Athikanu ;
having on our right the property of the Devala Moyar Company—which, by
the way, is now forbidden ground, no one being allowed to cross the
boundary.*
A
short distance under the comforting shade of large trees, brought us to
the temporary bungalow upon Athikanu, where we were met by Captain
Morrish and his assistant, who are in charge of the operations. They
were evidently not a little proud of their charge; and showed me a
number of pieces of quartz, broken off that morning promiscuously from
the outcrops, in which gold appeared in the form of distinct grains.
This was the first time I had actually seen free gold in the stone on
the spot.
We
then proceeded to examine the wonderful remains of old native workings.
These are most extensive; the entire face of the hill, where the reef
is exposed, had been quarried out, and the descent to the bottom was
along a ridge of loose quartz and debris, that had been left
after the ancient search for nuggets. All this, I was informed, was
still worth putting through the mill, as it contained more than
sufficient gold to pay for the working. Near the bottom, Captain
Morrish had put in a tunnel, which had reached the reef; and quantities
of beautifully
*
This prohibition has caused not a little inconvenience to planters and
others, who formerly availed themselves of short cuts through these
estates. Now they must ride miles round.
E
