THE TAIPO REEFS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1268, 11 April 1878, Page 3

THE TAIPO REEFS.

The correspondent of the “ West Coast Times ” writes :—ln my last letter I mentioned the belief that confidence in the future of Westland, as a reefing district, would soon be established. And the last fortnight’s sojourn in this locality fully confirms that belief. Messrs Jones and Thompson, the indefatigable prospectors of the Taipo ranges, have succeeded in tracing the Enterprise line of reef from the north end of the prospecting claim for a distance of three hundred yards. The reef is in places sft. wide, and shows splendid gold to the naked eye wherever it is broken. This proves the reef for a distance of about 1200 yards, the length of three leases. Thomas and party have taken up thp next claim north, and no doubt they will have the reef ‘in a [short time. It is rather surprising that the men of capital and enterprise in Hokitika have as yet paid so little attention to this district. Some of them might at all events visit it and judge for themselves, as with a small outlay of capital the Taipo, as a quartz-mining and gold producing district, would soon be opened up, and would b,e equal to any quartzopolis in New Zealand. True, you have formed a prospecting association, haye subscribed a fair amount of capital, and have sent men out under an experienced prospector—a very good work in itself. But the time of year for travelling over this mountainous country is past for about six months, and men cannot live in the winter season under calico, on the hill tops. Whereas hero, we have what they are looking for, a golden reef. All we want now is a few good huts, and we will bo able to work all the year round, aye, for the rest of our lives I think it is a great mistake that the Prospecting Association could not see their way clear to spend a portion of the subscribed capital where gold has been found payable. There are now three large claims of sixteen acres each, with gold discovered on them and capital will undoubted!? be attracted here in the course of time, but to develop the field as we are trying to do, on the “ hatter ” system almost, is a tedious and slow method. Ido not wish to make invidious comparisons, but if the Grey County had the same prospect within its domains, they would have a good track made at once and ten tons of stone tested properly in a very few months. I would not be surprised to see the Kumara tramway extended to the Taipo yet. The track badly wants repairing, and I trust you will urge on the County Engineer the necessity of taking a, loos our way.