THE TRIP TO ADELE ISLAND.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 126, 1 June 1867, Page 2

THE TRIP TO ADELE ISLAND.

To the Editor of the 'Nelson Evening Mail. 3 Sir —Knowing how anxious you are at all times to give publicity to anything that is likely to prove beneficial to the community, I may state that, in company with Dr. Irvine, Messrs. Miles, Younger, and Carter, I paid a visit to Adele Island, in Astrolabe Roads, with a view of ascertaining whether the granite which abounds there is of sufficient value, and whether it.could be profitably quarried so as to be employed in the public works of the province. It is not necessary for me to say that after quitting the Wharf on Wednesday evening, I found myself with as agreeable companions as I could possibly wish to have with me, and during the short interval of seven hours the time was pleasantly whiled away. At half-past 3in the morning we were safely landed at our destination, but not without one of the workmen (who had partaken a little too freely of eau de vie) getting a ducking. Fortunately for us, a number of Maoris happened to be there before us, and had a first-rate fire already prepared, which enabled us lo regale the inward man with creature comforts, which had been very liberally and thoughtfully provided by Mr. Miles, aud after "doing so, laid ourselves on the sand in front of the fire until daylight. We breakfasted at 7, aud then started on an inspection of the island : Mr. Miles and Mr. Carter paying more particular attention to that portion where we landed ; while Dr. Irvine, Mr. Younger, and myself took the dingy we had brought with us, and pulled rouud the island, calling in at all the bays passed by on our way. In every pait of Adele Island, granite is to be found in abundance, from the water's edge, up to its very highest peak, but the quality of it materially differs

and some of it would not be worth working, while the major portion is good indeed, being to my mind quite equal to the Aberdeen granite, and the best sample, I believe, exists in Irvine's Bay, as I have taken the liberty of calling it, after the gentleman of that name who accompanied • us, and whose indefatigable exertions to promote the advancement of this community are acknowledged by all. After examining this island as minutely as could possibly be done, we had a look at Fisherman's Island, which is close by, but smaller and of exactly the same formation, but does not possess the same facilities for shipment, compared with Adele. We then crossed over to the mainland, and found that granite was still the prevailing rock; ascended a creek or torrent, about 1000 feet above the level of the sea, the whole of its course broken by a number of cataracts beautiful in themselves, but great impediments to travelling. In fact, a great portion of the distance was done on our hands and knees ; still, we were well repaid for our trouble by the grandeur of the scenery and the beauty of the ferns aud vegetation generally. I may mention that Dr. Irvine was delighted, and expressed his opinion that few in Nelson would believe that such scenery existed. We came back to the camp after a hard day's " pull," and a rough day's walk, and then paid attention to the requirements of nature. We then ascertained that Mr. Carter aud Mr. Miles, while in their search, had come upon a beautiful cave, the inside of which was festooned in the most fantastic manner with creepers and other luxuriant evergreens, and from a partial examination I made of its floor, I found that it was covered to a considerable depth with black sand, as was also a great portion of the beach, near to the spot where we had camped. This I do not believe to be auriferous, but it was my intention to have solved that question satisfactorily, but, unfortunately, I happened to leave a parcel of it, with other things, behind me on the island. At the same time, I am decidedly of opinion that it is not auriferous, nor is there any probability of gold being found on the island. I may add that our trip, upon the whole, was a complete success, and each and every one thoroughly enjoyed himself, although having to rough it a little, and Done was more active in provoking our merriment and seeing to ourcomforts than Mr. Carter, while Mr. Younger paid particular attention to the interests of the corporation with which he is connected, Dr. Irvine displaying an amount of pluck in surmounting difficulties that I confess I had not given him credit for. In conclusion, I would remark that Mr. Miles has done that which entitles him to the best thanks of the community ; for, although there are persons who assert that they were cognisant of the capabilities of Adele Island some years back, yet none of them were plucky and enterprising enough to attempt to develop them, and upon these grounds I venture to assert that he has done more towards the advancement of the province than many of its older inhabitants. I have now given you a brief and hurried sketch of our trip, according to my promise ; and I may add that the Acclimatization Society have nothing to fear for their birds or beasts from the opening up of these granite quarries, whilst I am certainly of opinion that they ought to have chosen a better aud nearer spot for the object they had in view. I am, &c, Samuel Stmms. Nelson. 31st May.

The Grey River Argus of the 25th inst. has the following items of intelligence with reference to the most recent rushes on the West coast: — No less than four different parties have made application for prospecting claims — the first one five miles up the Buller. at Waite's Pakihi. It brofce out on Friday last, and since that time there could not be less than 2000 persons, who have crossed the Buller en route, for the diggings. The other discoveries are north, about 20 miles the best one, and 8 mile the next one in the same direction", and all considered first class. Sites in the township are in eager demand, and fetch high prices,— :No further news is as yet to hand concerning the rush lately reported as having taken place to Sunday Creek, between Nelson's and Red Jack's Creek, but it is expected that a report on the; subject will be furnished by Mr. Warden Lightband in a day or two. A considerable number of men have gone to the scene of the new discovery.