OKURU NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1930, Page 2

OKURU NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) Tho ketch Elsie crossed the O-kuru under risky conditions on Monday, August 11th, dragging heavily‘oil the bar for some distance and much must ho said for the very safe handling by her skipper. The Harbourmaster refused to allow her to enter hut local whitebait canning enthusiasts took the risk on their own shoulders being anxious to land whitebait canning machinery and erect it lor the fast approaching season. The district has lost a family, residents of long standing; in the persons of Mr and Mrs James Harris who have left the district definitely io commence dairying in the Kokatahi Valley.

Stock especially in the Haast A alley are looking remarkably well for this time of the year.

Mr Eric James and party reached Okuiru early in the week passing through to Wan aka after an absence of eleven weeks, no small period of the time being spent in unexplored country south of Martin’s Bay. Two new lakes; an easy overland rout-e connecting Milford Sound and Hollyford Valley; and a promising ftlpiilU pass have claimed to hItVG bbfell discovered and the valley of the John 0, Croats River followed from its source to the mouth,

A wonderful range of photographs numbering several hundred have been secured, also a collection of mineral specimens. A large quantity >of marble was found, also rubies and indications of shale- oil. It is worthy of note samples of oil were sent- out in the early days from Martin’s Bay, thick as syrup- and yellow in colour, but the samples Were lost or. the outward journey. The deposits were found and their whereabouts known to one man alone. Oil is said to he oozing from the ground and forming a pool. A number of monster bullocks which have wandered from McKenzie Bros, southernmost herd were found colonised a little south of Kaipo Bay and were so fat as to be almost unable to. waddle.

Large numbers of wild cattfe roam north of Big Bay and an. attempt to muster and market them is being made by two Wakatipu. stockmen.

Fortunately it is rarely runholders are pestered by undesirable- youths wandering through the back country but this period of calm was suddenly broken when two youths said to hail from north of Greymout-h and going under several aliases, spent a two months sojourn south of Oku.ru removing clothes, saddlery and food from mustering huts in the Cascade, Martin’s Bay and HollyfOi'd districts. Not Satisfied with all foodstuffs, all huts, almost without exception, were left in a disgusting dirty condition, with tools and utensils thrown outside. Abandoned horses and saddlery were found by James’ party many miles south of Cascade. Besides saddlery, rifles, dynamite, etc., evidence of wholesale and illegal destruction of bird life and fish were found and a boat and farm geese are missing from Oku.ru. It is hoped the police will take the matter up actively and protect backcountry runholders from ravages by this type of undesirable, who refusing offers of employment rob huts of the food essential for mustering. Mr W. O’Leary, better known as “Arawata Bill,” is said to have found evidence (tunnels, etc,,) of early mining in the head of the Arawata Valley at a high level. A carved date distinctly showed three figures, 187, while the fourth appeared to be either 2 or 4. To this discovery Bill attaches much importance and has left via the Hollyford for Dunedin to seek financial assistance for further investigations.

While on his outward journey he spent a few weeks seeking a grove of extra large tree ferns in the Pyke Valley said to have been imported from the South Seas and planted as a landmark and which Bill believes has a connection with his discoveries in the Arawata.

Mr Malcolm McKenzie, of Martin’s Bay, passed through en route to Wa-naka where he intends to settle and raise stock.