Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/595

 Captain J. Treloar ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 569 remainder of the journey to Ballarat was accomplished on foot. His luggage followed after on a wagon, the freight being a few shillings per lb. weight. A firm friendship was established between the Captain and some companions who were travelling to the same destination, and they decided to cast in their lot together. After working at Golden Point for a time, where they had moderate success, they repaired to No. i Pennyweight Hill, to which vicinity a rush had taken place. The alluvial in this locality was fairly rich, and several ounces of gold were extracted by the company in a few days. It was here that Captain Treloar made his first speculation. An adjoining claim was being abandoned by its owners, and they offered it for sale. He requested them to give him the first chance. They wanted lo ounces of gold for the property ; but Captain Treloar, on searching his dtist gleanings, could only rake together 41^ ounces. The vendors, however, were by no means exacting, and one of their number advised his mates to sell it for that amount. The rest complied. When Captain Treloar's mates learned of his transaction they were far from pleased, as they believed that the claim was worked out. However, they all started digging on the jjurchased property, and unearthed ^3/4 ounces of gold in the first afternoon. As they were dividing this unexpected but appreciable yield. Captain Treloar, to give some zest to the proceedings and call to mind their unpleasant condemnation of his investment the preceding day, remarked : " Perhaps I am not such a young fool now." Por five more da)s the party worked this claim ; and the sum of .1^250 was distributed to each man as his share. P^-om that spot the party proceeded to Winter's Plat and j^-ospected in that neighborhood, with varying success. They continued their search at Sulky (lully and Puninyong. The alluvial grounds of Victoria by this time seemed to be nearly workcid out ; and the returns from the claims were diminishing. Attention had shifted to r(efs and quartz, and only a few prospectors remained on the thrice upturned and overturn(d ground in the hopes of picking up stray grains that may have escaped the eyes of former workers. Hardly, however, had the excitement over the Victorian diggings subsided than reports reached the ears of the miners that gold was being found in quantities on the Molyneux River, in New Zealand. A rush speedily followed, and Captain Treloar joined in the migration thither that resulted upon this announcement. After prospecting round Adam's Flat in Otago, New Zealand, a few miles from the Woolshed diggings, he waited till the river waters subsided, and then began to search in its bed and channel for deposits. In compan)' with his mates he took up a claim 12 miles below Maneureka, and shepherded it for 10 months. One night disaster overtook the party. A Hood of vater, slush, and snow came rushing down the mountainside with all the fury of a cataract, and completely submerged their encampment and the field of their labors, the miners themselves barely escaping with their lives. Having remained 12 months in Maoriland, Captain Treloar took a trip to Melbourne, but returned soon after to further exploit the gold-bearing areas of the island colon'. P'rom Dunstan Peak to Invercargill, Captain Treloar prcspected over many miles of territory ; but during this tour no glittering outcrops met the gaze of the pioneers. Around Arrowtown, Shotover River, Lake Wakatipu, and Mount Ida, they wearily prospected for several months, with little remuneration. At the conclusion of the Captain's prolonge;d endeavors he accepted the management of the Carrick Range Mine for nine months. Perhaps the most valuable acquisition he obtained during his mining LL