A MORNING beach walk turned up a rare historical find for Tim Auld of Port Fairy.The Standard columnist, who regularly swims and walks along the East Beach, said the discovery of the small ointment pot from the 1800s was his first beachcombing reward.``It was just on the water's edge shining at me,'' Mr Auld said. ``I thought it was just a bit of PVC pipe.``The sea has been a bit rough lately and I think it must have washed up from a shipwreck.''Mr Auld said he was surprised at the good condition of his find which, according to the label, once contained Holloway's ointment to treat gout and rheumatism. ``Someone used that pot of ointment 150 years ago,'' he said.``It's just amazing that a piece of history like that just washed up.``I am amazed it is in such good condition, I think it must have been in a chest of some sort.'' An internet search had revealed the Holloway's jar was a rare find and had sparked his interest in finding washed-up treasures, Mr Auld said. ``I have never ever gone looking on the beach for anything before,'' he said. ``It was just freakish that I found it but I've turned into a beachcomber now.''
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