Dead At 84

Bill Borthwick, Discoverer of Goldfield in Fiji

rE discoverer of the Tavua Goldfield, Mr. William Borthwick known affectionately throughout Fiji as “Old Bill Borthwick” —died in Lautoka on June 3, at the age of 84. He has been described as the “best prospector in three countries” (Australia, New Zealand and Fiji). He seemed to smell, gold.

Many people had suspected the presence of gold in Viti Levu; but all had failed to find it—except “Old Bill.” He kept on fossicking around in the region of the Nasivi River, on country which all the experts flatly insisted was, geologically, incapable of bearing gold. In 1931-32 he got prospects among the low Tavua hills which satisfied him that there was rich gold there.

But the only man who believed him was Mr. Pat Costello, well-known Suva

merchant. Mr. Costello backed his faith m “Old Bill” by “grub-staking” him to the limit, and by going personally to New Zealand and Australia in an attempt to interest some of the gallant adventurers of Pitt and Collins Streets. Certain groups of investors were sufficiently interested to send their expert advisers; but the advisers generally were not favourable to the new “find.”

When visiting geologists' and mining engineers condemned the Tavua goldfields in 1933, Bill confidently answered: “They may be good men in Australia, but they know nothing of the conditions under which gold exists in andesite.”

Then a group headed by E. G. Theo dore, of Melbourne, decided that Tavua really represented something, and it leased some of the country. That started a rush: during 1933-4, very large numbers of gold-seekers spread themselves over that part of Viti Levu, and pegged wide areas of country.

But the rich area was very limited— and it was also very rich. Upon it are now operating the famous mines of Emperor and Loloma, and alongside are one or two other mines, owned mostly by the Costello interests. All the other Tavua leases proved worthless. Both I

Borthwick and Costello benefited substan tially from the developments carried out by the Theodore group—as they deserved to do. This new gold industry enriched Fiji, just at a time when something was needed to take the place of copra and other industries which were not doing very well.

Borthwick was apprenticed to civil engineering, in Scotland, over 70 years ago; but, while still a lad, he stowed away on a sailing ship and went adventuring across the world. He landed in Towns ville, went prospecting, and found good gold in Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand; became a skilled builder in New Zealand and Fiji; and, at the age of 72, discovered Tavua.

William Borthwick.