LONGWOOD REEFS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 938, 9 April 1880, Page 3

LONGWOOD REEFS.

A suggestion well worthy of consideration has been made regarding the opening up of the Loiigwood ranges to prospectors. It has now been proved beyond doubt that the whole of the eastern slope of the Longwood contains fpayable gold, alluvial and quartz, in greater or less quantities. The extreme difficulty of prospecting the ground, owing to the denseness of the hush and consequent inaccessibility of the country, greatly retards the development of the field. To offer inducements to prospectors it has been suggested that the County tracks ihtff the range at intervals of say three or four miles, intersected by longitudinal tracks at intervals. Narrow tracks sufficient for the purpose could be cut at a moderate cost, and would greatly facilitate the thorough prospecting of tide field. This plan has, we learn, been adopted in some of the Nelson south-west goldfields, and has been of immense benefit in prospecting the country there. It has s eden aScertaihodJ beyond doubt that at least a livelihood! can be earned at alluvial digging in ' almost any part of the Longwood, with all the disadvantages under which operations are at present carried on. But with increased facilities for obtaihing supplies, we venture to assert that all the “ unemployed” labour in Dunedin, Christchurch, and other places, of which so much has lately been said, would find remunerative employment. We commend the suggestion to the favourable consideration of the Wallace County Council.—Western Star.