EXPLORATION OF THE WEST COAST.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Volume II, Issue 55, 7 November 1863, Page 4

EXPLORATION OF THE WEST COAST.

As everything relating to this all-engross-ing subject must prove of interest to our readers, we have much pleasure in laying before them a few additional items which have been communicated to us by two of Captain Alabaster's companions, in the exploring expedition to the Coast by the cutter Aquila. They state that Dr. Hector was not the first to discover the pass to the Wakatip Lake, that honor being claimed by three men named M'Kenzie, Crawford, and Jacobs, who cut the path which Dr. Hector followed, believing it to be a Maori track, to within six or seven miles of the Lake, when they were compelled to return through want of provisions and stress of weather.

From a rough diary kept by one of the party we learn that the Aquila started from Milfor4 Sound on the Hth of May, and landed her passengers on the 14th at the Awarau River; where they were left with ten days' provisions, the cutter going back to Milford Sound, 15 miles distant, where there' was secure anchorage and a wellisheltered harbor. On the 15th the party proceeded up' the river, with the design of making towards the interior of the country ; the bush, however, being so dense that they were unable |o go more than two miles a day. The next morning the party was divided into two—the one endeavoring to force their way up the river, and the other starting to go round to the next bay, to see if they could penetrate in that direction. The keeper of the diary belonged to the latter party, who succeeded in fining, a river leading 17th May they met ijoiir womea, and one whom they endeavored to; ascertain whether it would be possible to bring the cutter up the river, but could not make themselves* junderstood. They Succeeded in' obtaining the loan of a damaged canoe 1 in which to prosecute their journey up the river, but were obliged to leave two of the party behind in consequence of the canoe not being able to accommodate the whole number. The boat returned on the 12th, and reported a lake about 12 or 13 miles long, about 6 miles up the river. ;

On the same day the other party arrived from the Awarau, having been unsuccessful in their attempt, and they remained prospecting till the 24th, when getting short of provisions, five men started forMilford Sound, thinking to make it in a day; but it was not till five had passed that they reached their destination, in consequence of the rugged nature of the country in that direction. They were very weak and exhausted, having had only three pounds of biscuit each when they started: the reason of the non-return of the cutter at the expiration of the ten days agreed upon, was the state of the weather, which effectually prevented such a course. They succeeded in taking the vessel to their camp at the river by the Ist June, where they found their comrades very weak for want of food, but otherwise in good health. Till the 14th they were busily prospecting and towing their boat up the river at the head of the lake, in the course of which they found several rapids, through which it was difficult to tow their vessel. Subsequently, finding no payable prospects, they returned, when they discovered another branch of the river, lying N.N.W., which they entered and then camped for the night. The next day they found they were in another lake, which they were afterwards told by the Maories was named Wahwahewa. Here they remained and again prospected for a week, with the same want of success. It was during this interval that the three men pushed their way into the interior, as before-mentioned; but finding themselves hemmed in with snow, returned to the ship in the first lake, which they reached on the 20th June, and thence sailed for Invercargill. Such is a compendium of the highly interesting notes kindly handed to us, and which bear the impress of truth in every line. Iu addition, they agree in giving the highest account of the country through' Which they passed, both on the score of picturesqueness and adaptability for settlement Timber, pigs, pigeons, ducks, and fish they state are plentiful; and the only objection to the harbor seems to be the existence of three rocks in the main channel. These, however, could I be easily blown away, and this single impediI ment removed very shortly. But in heavy i weather, Milford Sound, a first-class harbor, only fifteen miles distant, could be easily made. For steamers there would be no necessity to follow this course. The opinion of our informants is against the probability of gold being found to the south of the Awarau j River, though to the north of that point they have good, expectations. Copper, they believe, exists' in plenty.