THE GOLDEN WEST COAST.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 27 February 1901, Page 4

THE GOLDEN WEST COAST.

An Auckland gentleman who has toon visiting the West Coast, describes the district as follows : —“From the Karamoa River in the north of the Haast River in the south of the West Coast of the Middle Island there is a stretch of over 300 miles of alluvial deposit which has been proved, more or less by former methods to contain gold, and which has yielded nearly jG18,000,000 from 1857 to the end of 1899. Much of the ground previously worked can be gone over again and worked at a greater depth than was practicable without the aid of a modern dredge, and it is known in many cases that good gold was left under foot; but in the good old times the water difficulty made it impossible to get down any depth where the heavier gold should be found. Nowadays a dredge can easily work to a depth of 40ft belawtho surface of the water. The prevailing opinion is that the West Coast claims are richer than those of Otago, but at the same time owing to the wildness of the country more difficulties will be encountered in order to win the precious metal.”

INDIAN TROOPS IN NEW ZEALAND.

G.P.S., ” daring the visit of the troops to Victoria, contributed the following interesting personal notes to Melbourne Punch ;

For the first time in the history of the colony Indian troops are visiting these shores. Only one hundred men, it is true, form that troop ; but they represent the chivalry, the strength, the magnificence of a great Empire. I was fortunate in having the knowledge of some of the native tongues spoken in India. As I entered the gates of the Agricultural Grounds at Moore Park, Sydney, the Subedar Major was acknowledging the salute of the Devons. I saluted him in his language : “ The peace of God bo with you. ” and he returned the salutation, ‘ God’s peace be with you. ’ He was smothered with metals, and a__ hasty glance disclosed “Candahar,” “Kabul,” “Guznee,” three bloody fights in which English supremacy trembled in the balance, for the Pathan is foeman worthy of our steel. Built on the linos of a panther was this Subadar Major ; every muscle stood ready in response for the behest of the mind. He was a fine specimen of a man; not a heavy butcher-look-ing individnal, but a dusky gentleman, with chivalry written in every feature of his countenance. Then I came across the lions of the Punjaub, that beautiful and fetile country of the five rivers in the north of India. The Sikhs are practically Buddhists, although they observe the Bible of their Gooroo as the doctrine they have to follow. Splendid men they were—one was six feet six in height and he carried a frame which weighed nearly thirteen stone. A keen eye, clear-cut features, and facial hair unblemished by the ravages of scissors or razor, but trimmed to meet the demands of civilisation by artificial means, he stood on Apollo amongst his fellows. His speech was simple, and it carried dignity and truth in its utterance. Next I dropped across a Gurka Subanar, a jolly little fellow, with wrinkles of humour all over his face. Very deceptive is the Gutka from fii st impressions. A small man, he is liable to be sneered at. When he comes in contact with you he leaves the impression that you haveii colonial parlance, “ bumped against a snag.” There were no traces of carouse or revelry, the features were bright, brilliant, mobile. Then I met the Colonel, a youthful prince, who is connected by marriage with our own particular Eanjitsinjhi. He is a cultured polished Rajput gentleman. I saluted him in his language, and he gracefully returned the compliment. Passing on, I came across a handsome blue-eyed Afghan. “Shtelemasbi,” I remarked, before the next word of salutation —“Kushali" —could leave my lips an Afrida from Tirah had my hand in a brotherly grip. Yes, ho had as a youngster learned to hate the English, but now, no more loyal servant of Her Majesty than the young Subadar. I met also the Rajput, the cleanestliving soldier in the world, and perhaps the best. He is a vegetarian it is true. He never takes life for food ; his mind soars above the sordid things of thisworld. He is a Spartan. History has the record that when Clive besieged one of their forts, and when they saw that all hope was gone they put their women and children to the sword, and then every man died cheerfully. Not one was left after the/battle; not a single one allowed himself to escape with his life. There were also Madrassces in the cam]), Jats and Dogras, Bengalis and Eohillas. The Empire which counts over two hundred and fifty millions sent a contribution of its strength, gave an idea of its vastncss and the difference between caste and creed. It was an object lesson. Fraternising with ono another were Hindu and Buddhist, Mahammcdan and Pagan, and all sworn to do one thing, and die on the oath —to uphold the supremacy of Great Britain and maintain the dignity of the Empress of India and Queen of Greater Britain.