PROSPECTORS RETURN

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1927, Page 1

PROSPECTORS RETURN

TRYING OVERHAND JOI’BNFY INYF.HCA RGI LL, Dec. 23

.John Gray and a man named Beane, both of Riverton. who were on a prospecting tour in the vicinity ol Gates, near Preservation Inlet, hate returned overland after a most trying experience which nearly ended in disaster. The difficulty in crossing the rivers, where the cages were out- ol repair, compelled them to make long detours into the hush, which greatly added to the distance travelled. It was Gray’s knowledge of the country and Deanes splendid endurance that saved them from death. They reached Port Craig and were kindly treated. 'When some distance on the track Gray found a box with a message from I lelfernan. the prospector, who was missing from Preservation Inlet. 'I lie message stated that lie was exhausted and unable to travel further and that would be his last day. The message was dated July. Heffernan was a prospector from Glcnorchy. He left last June, but lias not been heard of since. Gray and Deane, several weeks ago decided to go on a prospecting tour of the West Coast Sounds and proceeded by boat to Gates. They had made arrangements for a supply of food, but unfortunately this was landed after they had commenced the return journey. Tt was their intention to make a base at Gates and prospect the intervening country between Preservation Inlet and the AVairaurauhiri. Gray had traversed the. country before and the prospects then obtained were very satisfactory. samples of tin, copper and mica being obtained. Notwithstanding the hardships endured it is Gray’s intention to prospect further the country lying to the west.