THE RED HILLS (BIG BAY) DISTRICT.

Kumara Times, Issue 3073, 8 September 1886, Page 3

THE RED HILLS (BIG BAY) DISTRICT.

Of the Red Hill fields, about which we. have heaul so much lately. Mr Mueller, Chief Surveyor of Westland, supplies some interesting data. In 1883-84 he made explorations of the district for die purpose of prepaiing a topographical map, with the result that is now known that no difficulties present themselves in the way of road communication, on the contrary Mr Mueller states that a splendid line of mad from the Cascade Plateau to the junction of the Pyke and Holyford can be made. Of the geographicol features Mr Mueller says :—" A great part of the Hope Range (situate to. the north of Red Hill, and some twelve or fifteen miles of Jackson's Bay) is auriferous; and along the course of the Gorge river the color is found on washing a dish of s'uff. I believe that, when once made i'.cwssible, the Gorge. country will prove a great country for hydraulic sluicing the getting t ho necessary water supply will not be difficult. Almost all along the const, line, fiom Barn Biv to Martin's Bay, the heaches ard const terraces carry «oM. Some of those beaches proved very rich in the early days of the Coast and are still being worked. Co'irsc gold in considerable quantiy was found at the mouth of the River (which has its source in the Hope Range). A party of two men both known to me, lifted 43 ozs., in less than a week from a patch 10ft. square."