replied to this effect:—That at first sight it did seem strange that Mr. Walmsley was so unfortunate, but not so when one took into consideration that he was the officer in our service on the Coast who was called upon to do the risky work, and so long as he was in that position any losses made by sticking-up, or such as that above stated, would fall to his lot. Other men might be in the service for a lifetime and never lose a penny, and for the simple reason that they were never called upon to run any risk. We were not the only bank that made losses in this way. Some time in 1865 a bag of gold which contained 230 ozs. belonging to the Union Bank was dropped while under escort from Waimea to Hokitika. and although the track was closely searched from end to end not a trace of the missing treasure could be discovered. It was, however, found in the month of January, 1866.
The West Coast Times reports 5th January, 1866:—
“It will be remembered that some three months ago a bag of gold which contained 230 ozs., belonging to the Union Bank, was dropped while under escort from Waimea to Hokitika, and although the track was closely searched by the police from end to end, not a trace of the missing treasure could be discovered. It has, however, undoubtedly turned up at last. On Saturday week extraordinary rumours were current in town to the effect that heavy gold had been discovered at the back of the hospital, women and children picking up gold in handfuls, and that a richer patch had not been struck on any Westland beach. It appears that some packers were leaving town for some of the northern beaches, when one of the horses, in kicking up the sand, unearthed a number of glittering specks, which upon examination proved to be gold-dust. A closer inspection revealed a quantity of the metal, which, of course, was carefully collected. Early next morning this lucky find became known, and resulted in quite a scene in front of the Prince of Wales Hotel. On proceeding to the back of the houses, where at some waterholes many were seen washing out the sand, we saw such results as convinced us there was no exaggeration, but that gold was being obtained in considerable quantities. Many were the prospects washed, varying from a few grains to 2 and 3 dwts.; but the richest sand had been collected into little heaps, and there lay to be washed at leisure, after the rush had subsided. How this gold was originally deposited may to some appear unaccountable, but we feel assured that the mystery of the lost bag of Waimea gold is at last cleared up. Some aver that in a very few minutes 108 ozs. was their reward; but whether it was so much is uncertain, although it is accepted as an indisputable fact that at least 40 ozs. were obtained by the seekers. Many of the after-comers did remarkably well; indeed, we heard of one party whose dirt would average 1 oz. to the dish, and many others managed to
