EXPEDITION TO THE WEST COAST. THE MOA AGAIN SEEN.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 7 August 1863, Page 3

EXPEDITION TO THE WEST COAST. THE MOA AGAIN SEEN.

(From tho Otago Daily Times correspondent.) Dunstan, 20th July. On Friday last 3 men who orginally came from the Maxwell Reef, Inglewood, returned to the Dunstan after a trip to the West Coast. The party left the Shotover some 14 weeks ago, and consisted of seven members, employing two pack horses for the purpose of carrying provisions, tents, &c. Starting from the Shotover, they took tho road to the head of Lake Wanaka, and crossed the dividing range at a pass pointed out to them, by a shepherd. They state they had no difficulty whatever in crossing the range, the ascent being very steady the whole way, and the descent the same. From tho top they followed Dr. Hector’s track, and made his camping places at night. The Doctor and his party had left innumerable records of themselves on the road by inscribing their names on the trees. Tho Doctor’s party having cut through the scrub in a number of places, materially facilitated their progress. On the road they found the Doctor’s tent poles, which they brought back with them to the Dunstan. The difficulties of the road they do not consider to be very great. They penetrated to within eight miles of the sea coast, crossed tho Burke, Wills, and Hector Rivers, besides numerous other streams, and proceeded far in advance of any of the camping places of the Doctor. In some parts the timber was excessively thick, while in others it was scrub. There is very little grass, most of the surface of the ground being covered with a dense description of heather. They only saw one station on the West Coast, and when they approached they found tho people armed to tho teeth ready to receive them. Of meat they obtained a plentiful supply, wild bullocks and strayed sheep abounding in the woods, they also obtained gold in several places which they tried, but the weather was so wet and tho flats so swampy, that nothing more than a spit deep could be taken below tho surface. Black sand they represent as being in the river by tons, there were no wild animals indigenous to the country seen; but of birds there was a great variety, but none took to wing with the exception of wild pigeons. All the rest appeared to burrow in the ground. There was one bird about the size of the common domestic fowl, but in plumage superior to the king parrot of New South Wales. Another description but of a more dusky color, stood about three feet high, and appeared to Lave peculiar imitative abilities, and apparently amused himself by mocking the men when talking together at their camp. With the exception of the pigeon, all tho birds came out at night. The Maoris informed the party that if one of these birds were shut up in a dark room by himself it would make a noise exactly like six or seven men in earnest conversation. Aud, lastly they saw a bird, something like what the Moa is said to be. This bird, they consider, stands about nine feet high. It made its appearance at the camp one night and thrust its head over the fire but only remained a very short time ; the dogs gave chase, and they heard it for some time making its way through the timber. Tho impression left by its foot was about eight inches in length and about four in width and pointed in the form of a toe at each end, and, from appearances, tho leg bone must be situate about the centre of the foot; in places where the soil was soft and spongy, its feet had sunk in some six inches. They baited some large eel hooks, having strong lines attached, with portions of the bodies of wild pigeons, which bait it must have took, as the lines were found broken, and some goodly sized logs capsized, and with which they had formed a sort of trap. They consider this bird very much like the Emu of Australia. This party, after obtaining a supply of provisions on Saturday, started for another expedition in the same quarter the following day. They say they are very sanguine of making a capture of this extraordinary bird this trip. Although you may consider this story rather romantic and improbable, it is, nevertheless, true. With respect to the amount of gold obtained, I am not at liberty to state, but you will hear more about it on the completion of this present trip. That there will be a rush to this quarter there is no mistake, tho difficulties of the journey being nothing like what has been represented, the rain being much more inconvenient than the snow, and the parties consider that provisions can be got there easily by way of Oomaru.