are the finest seen in Perth for a long time. It is about a month a go
since the discovery of the slugs was made, the finders being Messrs.
Harris and Williams, who are representing an Adelaide syndicate. While
following a rich leader they unearthed the Little Joker nugget, weighing
303oz., about six feet from the surface, and a number of other nuggets or
slugs of smaller dimensions. One of these was 73oz. in weight, but it has
since broken up into two nuggets, weighing respectively 39.oz. 12dwt. and
33oz. 13dwt. There is another very handsome nugget, weighing 5loz. 15dwt.
12gr., and three or four smaller ones, weighing under 12oz. The gold is of
a bright yellow colour, with chocolate coloured cement adhering to the
interstices. All the slugs are of a flat shape. The specimens will remain
at the Commercial Bank for a few days, and will be then sent on to
Adelaide for exhibition. Concerning the original finders, Williams is the
son of one of the original finders of the tin deposits at Greenbushes. The
Little Joker nugget alone is valued at over £1,000. Our correspondent, in
sending us particulars of the find, stated that the Little Joker was about
the largest nugget found in the colony. He is, however, not quite correct.
Two larger nuggets were found some years ago in the North-West. One, of
587oz., was picked up by a Swede under the old Broken Hill Reef, at
Pilbarra, about three years ago ; while the Little Hero, 333oz., was
discovered 4½ years ago on the eastern shore at Pilbarra, by Jack Bride,
J. Doyle and party. As to the discovery of the 587oz. nugget, it was kept
very quiet for a long time, but we have authentic information as to it
really having been unearthed.