October 5, 1883 - Samuel Cooper new discovery
Samuel applies for a 15 year gold mining lease under the name of the company he forms, The Enterprise Company. The lease is to for ten acres, on the west bank of the Arrow River, near German Hill, to carry out tunnelling and shaft sinking. In his application, he intends to employ two men for the first six months, then six men once the mine is fully operating.
Source: LAKE COUNTY PRESS, VOLUME I, ISSUE 45, 5 OCTOBER 1883, PAGE 6 (https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LCP18831005.2.17.2)
“The Enterprise Company (German Hill Reef) have started work, and from present prospects the mine will no doubt be a success. The discovery of gold-bearing stone there was made in 1868 by Messrs Samuel Cooper ami party, who were then working the alluvial on the hill, and in cutting in a tail-race came upon the reef, and with the rude appliances of a hammer, roughly crushed about l ewt of stone, and obtained 5 dwts of gold therefrom, which would equal 5oz to the ton, but their means being, small and the time of reefing enterprise in this district not having matured, the reef has been suffered to remain dormant until recently when a company was at once formed, and no doubt success will attend their efforts. I have read the report of the original discoverer (Mr S. Cooper), where he states that the stone was about one and a half feet wide with well defined walls, and as much as a quarter pennyweight to the dish was washed in the “casing,” and also that in 1868 within a few feet of the reef a rich “specimen” was found containing 16 dwts of gold, and that I more “specimens” of gold have been found on German Hill than any other part of the Arrow. I have much pleasure in making this report public, as it comes from a reliable source, and thus, must have weight. A ten-acre lease has been applied for, and the company is being registered. (We have now later news, and to the following effect: that gold was struck on the reef on Wednesday evening by the workmen while cutting away the debris that had for many years covered the line).
Another discovery has been made quite close to the town, in the shape of a large and well-defined reef, 6ft between wall and wall, carrying about 3ft 6in of capital-looking stone. This reef has been marked and applied for by Messrs Cooper and party who will commence work thereon immediately. Gold has already been found in the stone and being adjacent to the Arrow River, water could be easily obtained for any amount of crushing power.”
Source: LAKE COUNTY PRESS, VOLUME I, ISSUE 45, 5 OCTOBER 1883, PAGE 8 (https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/LCP18831005.2.20)