UNKNOWN WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1922, Page 2

UNKNOWN WESTLAND

THE COUNTRY M’ITH THE FUTURE. M r HERE MINERALS TEEAL

At the last sitting of the Local Bodies Conference the suggestion was put i'onvPird that geologico 1 reports should be prepared in some detail of the far* south of Westland, where mineral wealth is said to abound. The proposal was timely, for the undertaking is quite worth while. In the effort to produce more, to add to the native wealth of the country, the Govern-*’ ment would bo well advised indeed to go in for more research work in the out-of-the-way places of the Dominion. According to all geological reports, AA T estlnnd offers the most promising prospects of success. From the “early” days onward, geologists have paid flying visits to the southern district, and dove-tailing their reports there is the impression that there are attractions enough in the south to warrant a complete exploration tour with the object of doing rather more than locating mineral specimens which are to he picked up in all quarters, and to centre on lode discoveries which it is reasonable to believe exist—and aro of great value. It is common belief that the oldtime patient prospector has gone “west” with his compatriots of other and brighter days. That is a, fallacy. The prospector with the hobby which hardships and difficulties cannot dump, is still with us. M'ithin this year to j our knowledge a half a dozen or more i men having gone to various parts of the i Coast seeking mineral treasure in out of the way places. Their enthusiasm is something to admire and much to appreciate, for any one of them may prove the pioneer of great development and rich production in the near future. The one tiling lacking is a scientific knowledge of’ the mineral world. They are “practical” men, however, with a general knowledge of minerals, but it is to an extent too superficial when they pass into . no man’s land as some of them are doing, and are likely to meet all sorts of treasure stones which would be joy to a scientist, hut to the man lacking mineralogical training are all too likely to be passed over. In the absence of the ideal prospecting party, the well equipped and scientifically led, traversing maiden territory, it is good to have the enterprising man and his mate as a makeshift, for such can , v bring hack news at least of great possibilities, of latent wealth and rich deposits in need of closer examination and more detailed research. The country is fortunate in having the enthusiasts working their way about the district. Yesterday, a prospector returned from the far South locality where for five months he had operated north, of Big Bay, the southern boundary of M T estland. Air Rasmussen of Greymouth arrived here from the south, having left his. mate, R. Fluoty at* Bruce Bay. Together they had been in the wilds for the- period stated—and had enjoyed their experiences, so much so that they are to return to the outpost of civilisation almost immediately. Afr Rasmussen in reply to an enquiry indicated that south of Jackson Bay there is the coining country of the Dominion. His operations were located between the Hope river and Big Bay, and remote and difficult of access as it is, lie considers it a working man’s paradise. It is a “great” country with plenty of meat, game, and fish so that by foraging, food supplies can never run out. Tho Hop© river runs into Bam Bay ,and from there to Big Bay the party of two men spent about five months, only seeing one man in the interval .when they met one of the Ale- , j Kenzie Bros., of Martin’s Bay at Big ” Bay Landing. At the latter place, as also Brown’s Refuge, there are Governments huts; for the rfsst, tents or shacks had to he provided for habitations. A hut was built at the Hacket river. The mineral wealth is unbounded. Gold, iron, tin, copper, chrome, clays, and traces of oil were found. Beach leads and black sands yielding good gold were located. In one ease, as fi result of meeting Air AlcKenzie, the former workings of a party of six men all of whom were drowned, were found and a valuable deposit of blacksand picked up. The ground was well equipped with a water race, and in a good way for ready working. In the Hacket river region then was a good showing of gold. South of Brown’s Refuge, also there were good deposits of beach gold. Up the Gorge river, some fine quartz specimens were picked up. Big Bay track was traversed towards the Red Hills as far as thPyke Saddle, and the chrome deposits seen. It was intended to cross into Jerry river, a tributary of the Gorge river, and so make a complete circuit of the back country, hut the upper reaches of the Jerry river could not been negotiated. .Adjacent to the Spoon and Fork river attractive finds of gold were made, while near Sandrock Bluff there was a magnificent deposit of clay. Both the Hope and Gorge rivers were traversed as far as circumstances would permit, and in every excursion fresh mineral wealth was disclosed. The experiences satisfied the prospectors that the country was in need of the fullest prospecting, and they mean to return very soon. In common with other parts of New Zealand, a. good winter was experienced, but later the rains come, and floods prevailed. Oil was located in one instance, adjacent to a river, but flood waters prevented a close examination. Numerous wild cattle are to to be. found all through the region. Bird lifci of all descriptions abound. Pigeons, kakas, tuis, Alaori hens, are ail very abundant. Fish supplies are good mil along the Coast, the best fishing being off the rocks where groper, schnapper and other fine eatin« fish are plentiful.' There are fine forests, and ample Water supplies. It is a great country to range over, and full of interest from every point of view. Horses, were used as far as possible to pack in supplies, but after leaving tho Coast-line, camp and utensils had to lie packed on the back. The nearest settlors* camp Westland was at. the Cascade, some sixty miles north of Big Bay. AlcKenzie Bros homestead at the Holly'Ford in Otago was some eighteen miles from Big Bay, hut the prospectors mostly ranged north of that location. The scenery was very grand, and the whole territory a land of great promise, worthy |of ‘ being thoroughly explored—as it deserves to be, seeing that .nature lias I stored up so much mineral wealth m . that part of the country.