DISCOVERY OF A PASS TO THE BULLER DIGGINGS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 99, 20 March 1863, Page 3

DISCOVERY OF A PASS TO THE BULLER DIGGINGS.

[Nelson Examiner, March 4.] A second letter from Mr. Eoclifort was received by the Superintendent on Saturday last, which brought the most welcome intelligence of that gentleman having found an easy pass, as he believes, to the Lyell-valley, the present site of the rich diggings on the Duller river. Mr. Roclifort’s letter is dated Mount Arthur range, February 24, and says that he has found saddles connecting the Wangepekawith the Karamea and the Lyeli or some other running into the Bidler. Two of these saddles are within about three miles of where men are now digging on the Wao ngapeka; the country on the western side is all bush, but the hils are less steep than those of the Buller. The ascent to these saddles is easy, and Mr. Bochfort considers them to be about 2,500 feet above

the sea .level, which would give probably 1,000 to 1,300 feet above the adjoining valleys. Supposing Mr. Rochfort to succeed in reaching the mouth of the Lyell by this route, and a road is made by it, the distance to Nelson will be shortened by nearly onehalf. From a range between two branches of the Karamea, which run up in a southerly direction Mr. Rochfort could see the Paparoha, or coast range between the Grey and Buller, there being nothing but comparatively low hills lying before him to intercept his view. Mr. Rochfort writes in the most sanguine terms throughout his letter, closes it by saying that he shall prosecute his journey down the valley he has entered, which he is sure will lead him in the right direction. Whatever may be the ultimate success of Mr. Rochfort’s exploration, he has already made a discovery which cannot fail to be of the very highest importance. To be able within fifty miles of Nelson, over a perfectly practicable country, to reach the large auriferous district, which lies beiween the Mount Arthur range, the great back-bone of the island, and the western seaboard, must lead to very great results. If this discovery be at once followed up, by improving the present road so as to lessen the cost of carriage, and if a good road be constructed over the passes, we venture to predict that, before long, the numerous valleys which flow from the range, and which serve as feeders to the Karamea and the Buller, will be thronged with thousands of busy men, who, with pick and shovel, will reap, where men never before trod, a truly golden harvest; and if this again is followed up by railway from Nelson right into the heart of the district, the Nelson of a year hence, full of life and activity, will so little resemble the dull, spiritless Nelson of to-day, as to be scarcely recognizable as the same spot. We await with eager expectation Mr. Rochfort’s next commuuication.