NOTES OF A TRIP TO COLLINGWOOD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 62, 14 March 1871, Page 2

NOTES OF A TRIP TO COLLINGWOOD.

[from a correspondent.] After about twelve hours' steaming in the gallant little steamer Lady Barkly, oue is landed at the wbarf at Colliuswood. And, before commencing my narrative, let me say a word of commendation in regard to that steamer. The value to those who reside or have business across the Bay cannot be fully estimated by those who have uot yet made a trip in her. She does Inn- work admirably, is punctual tp, her advertised time, has very good nccom^po^ daiion, keeps hu excellent fable,NsßJl iV commanded by au obliging and able captain. On landing at Collingwood, one is much disappointed at the place, for from its being frequently mentioned in business transactions in Nelson, one would expect to find a busy, flourishing looking town, j Such is not the case, for it consists of only j two stores, the same number of hotels, j about half a dozen buildings occupied and an equal number tenautless, with win(|byvs broken, chimneys down, and giving the place the appearance of desertion. Collingwood evidently has seen better days, but I learnt in 'conversation with persons there that even now it was brisker than it had been for several years past. The site on which Collingwood stands is not the one selected by Government for the township, but is a narrow tongue of laud, only a few feet above the level of the sea, running out from the foot of a hill, and was formerly the property of Mr Gibbs, M.P.C. Iv consequence of the greater depth of water at this place than at the site selected | by Government for the township, a private wharf was built, and from thence sprung up the buildings around, whilst at the Government site the Warden's office is the only building that stands thereon. As the steamer was to remain a day longer than usual, I determined to take advantage thereof, aud see as much of the diggings as possible. After a few enquiries I managed to procure a horse, and with a guide, also mounted, started on my journey. The road out of Collingwood is along the beach somewhat similar to the Haven Road, and here and there it is dotted with a building or so, all of which appear to have been up for several years, yet not one had felt the painter's brush. One building along here in particular attracted my attention. It was a small, and apparently recently erected one, with a part of its front open, that, I suppose, its contents might more readily catch the eye of passers by. Here I espied a pestle and mortar, a shelf with bottles similar to those in a chemist's shop, and various other articles indicating it was occupied by one learned in the mysteries of medicine. This I was informed was the surgery and residence of the doctor of the district, a gentleman whom the inhabitants of Collingwood, by guaranteeing an income to, had induced to settle amongst them. As unpretentious as his establishment was, I believe his services are much needed, as several accidents had occurred a few months before he came, which terminated fatally, solely from the want of timely medical aid. At the end of this beach road on a somewhat elevated spot stands the Ward en W office, and under the same roof is his residence, post-office, and lock-up. Here anything approaching to the name of a road terminates, and branches off into two main tracks, one of which leads to Lightband's Gully the other to Wa9hbourne's Flat and Quartz Ranges. My guide informing me that the latter was the preferable one, we proceeded on it. Both these tracks are surveyed lines of road, and have had a great deal of money spent on them, but notwithstanding that, there is nothing at all about them to entitle them to that appellation. They are simply tracks occasionally along a flat, through scrub or clayey soil which must be almost impassable in wet weather, but more generally up and down precipitous mountains, and over huge boulders which form the bed of the mountain torrent in the rainy season. Much of this hill work could have been obviated had the surveyors cut these lines round by the side instead of direct over them. At slow speed we managed to make progress until we came to those singular limestone formations for which Collingwood is noted. These consist of huge masses of rock, standing quite isolated and of most grotesque shapes. To the geologist they unfold many a tale of the changes wrought iv the neighborhood by time and water. One of these peculiar rocks stands close by the track, and from its singular formation is called the Devil's Boot. It is like an inverted boot, about 40 feet in circumference at the base, with the toe part overhanging the track for about 20 feet. It is a wonder how its overhanging weight is sustained, but it has not undergone any change within the memory of. any person in Collingwood. After pausing for a time to examine these strange formations we proceeded on our

course, and about a mile further od, we came to the fool, of a hill rising uearly one in two, and about 200 feet high. It was at this part of the journey that those conveying the machinery for the Perseverance Company met with the greatest difficulty, and the aid of sixteen bullocks and as many men was required for three days to get one ton of it to the top. To me it appeared a miracle that ihey ever got it there. Hitherto we had repeatedly come in sight of the Slate River, where diggers were to be seen here and there, busily at work, but now we had finally lost sight of it, and came to diggings of a different nature. At the top of the hill just mentioned, the Canterbury Company are busily at work. On their claim their is a large out-crop of quartz, and several shafts have been put down with the hope of striking the reef, but at present without success. They have ten men at work who coutinue at it night ami day. The shaft they are at present engaged at, is dowu about 60 feet, through solid limestone, and they purpose going 200 feet more if they do not strike the reef before. They deserve to meet with success", but at present they have not come across anything to afford encouragement. On the eastward of this claim, lie three wooded hills, in which are several caves which we turned aside to visit.. A V-The largest is called Stafford Cave in consequence of Mr. H. Stafford, having broken his leg whilst exploring it. They are well worth a visit from Nelsoniaus.' Their roofs are hung with stalactites, and most grotesque figures have been formed on the floor of the caves by the drippings from the roof. Fortunately my guide had a couple of candles with him, so that we were able to examine them further than otherwise could have been done. After again mounting our horses, we proceeded on, and a few more hills brought us within sight, of the township of Bedstead Gully. I was somewhat surprised to find such a settlemeut in so out-of-the-way spot. It appeared more lively than Collingwood, all the buildiDgs being new aud occupied. The first that meets the eye on descending the hill is a large store owned by Mr. Toll, and tliis building would be considered a creditable one iv Nelson. At the foot of the hill is a row of wooden buildings, the principal of which is the Golden Age Hotel. Close to the hill is a baker's shop, where as good a supply of bread can be found, and of equal quality to any iv Nelson. This shop stands on a claim, formerly leased by someNelsonians, in which they put a drive for about 40 feet, but not meeting with any reef, discontinued working it, and it is now used by the baker for a fowl house. Further up the Gully we come to the Perseverance claim. On the side of the hill stands the Manager's house, a neat looking verandahed cottage of two rooms and office attached. Further down the hill is the Machine house. On nearing it we met the Mining Manager who, on our intimating a desire j to see the Company's works, offered to J show us round. Our first matter of , interest was the machinery. We found it idle, pending the increased supply of water, contracts to make, which, we learnt from him, were shortly to be decided on. The machine house is a large wooden building containing a 10 stamper battery of the most approved plan, and with all the modern improvements for saving the gold. Adjoining was a smelting room and blacksmith's forge. The whole was in excellent order, well arranged, and a great credit to the Company. Ou the top of the hill, abaut 200 feet high, can be seen the fluraing projecting, which supplies the necessary water, from thence it is brought down to the machinery in large iron pipes, and in passing through a small turbine wheel gives the necessary power. I learnt from the Manager that the supply of water hitherto brought in had been inadequate to keeping the machinery fully at work, and as it is a great pity that such an excellent battery should be kept a moment idle I can readily understand why the Directors had decided to increase the supply of water. After fully examining the machine house we proceeded along the tramway. A large quantity of quartz was being got out of the drives ready for crushing, and we were shown some excellent specimens, and the manager assured us there was a large quantity of it in which, gold was visible, but the bulk of what we saw there was no gold to be seen in, but this he said was similar quartz to what had been put through the machinery, and had yielded so well, but required constant working of the battery to makß it payable. About 200 yards further on we came to what the Mining Manager called No. 3 drive, and after obtaining and lighting some candles we entered. For a distance of about 400 feet we walked in this tunnel, when we came to the men at work, who also had to use candles as the only means of obtaining light. Along this drive the quartz was visible in solid masses, and frequently the gold could be seen glittering in the

walls and roof to the light of the candles. I think this compiny has a profitable field before it, and it deserves every success for its enterprise. On making our exit from ihe drive we again mouuted our steeds and proceeded over the hill. At the back thereof we came to the Decimal Company's claim, where there is a body of Cornish miners busily at work putting in a drive with the hope of meeting the Perseverance Company's reef. On the hill facing us are to be seen the Masonic Company's drives, but as they have met with no success their claim is abandoned. A mile or so further on we came to the Golden Gully Co.'s claim, where we found a number of men at work sluicing. This company get their water from the same source as the Perseverance, which is brought over six miles around hills and across ravines, where in many places men had to be slung by ropes from the cliffs above to do the work. This Golden Gully Company have been working at the side of a hill, about 200 feet high, and are getting good returns. We now considered it advisable to retrace our steps towards Collingwood. To do this we were obliged to come back the Bedstead Gully, where we again met the Manager of the Perseverance Company, who, with his usual hospitality, invited us to his house, where we pnrtook of some refreshment. We then proceeded back to Collingwood by another route. At the foot of Bedstead Gully we pass a tramway which leads into an adjoining bush and supplies the township aud the claims with timber. Such is the requirement for timber that all the useful kind obtainable has already been cut out, and the tramway is about to be taken up and laid to another bush. Further down, the road terminates and becomes a track over fallen trees, roots, and boulders. Further ou, brings us to Lightband's Gully, a place full of excavations aud other mining operations. On'the right is a hill, on the top of which lies the Pioneer copper mine, Mount Ophir claim, and several others. A few miles further, over even worse country than what we crossed on going inlaud, we come to Appoo's Flat. Here there are several miners still at work, but its golden days are evideutly gone. An hour more brings us hack to Collingwood. The same evening I left in the Barkly for Nelson. IVwas,\one of those beautiful moonlight nights, with scarcely a ripple ou the sea, for which Blind Bay is noted. A few hours steaming brought us offTotaranui. Here lights were descried on the shore, and finding the steamers head was making towards them, I enquired from the Captain what it wa.s for. He informed me it was Mr. Gtbbs' boat signalling for the steamer to comfc. in and take produce on board. Shortly afterwards a boat came alongside, when we added to our cargo a box of butter and six fowls. This safely stowed away, we proceeded to Motueka, where we arrived about 4 in the morning ; as the tide did not suit for going to the wharf, we had to anchor for about five hours, when we were enabled to go in. Half-an-hour afterwards found us ou our way to Nelson, where we arrived about 11 a.m.

A Wealthy Ignohamus. — The correspondent of tho Australasian who writes under the name of " iEgies," tells the following amusing aueciio:e: — There is in Melbourne an extensive dealer in everything marketable — quite as much at home st a Government land salens at an auction of damaged pickles. He is a man of much money and moderate education. He can si;,»n his name at the bottom of a cheque, hut couldn't write in the amount. He doesn't, make many mistakes however ; and to none does the auctioneer's hammer fall more readily or more cheerfully. A broker had effected a sale ou his behalf the other day, and brought him a coutract note signed by himself on behalf of both the contracting parties. Vendor : "Is that the coutract?" Broker : "Yes." Vendor: "Is it all right ?" Broker: "Of course it's all right." Vendor: "Is it signed?" Broker : " Yes, i've signed it." Vendor : "You be hanged. Let it be sigued by the buyer." Broker: "There's no need. Send iv the goods. You'll get your money when you make delivery. Vendor: "Not au ounce. Mr. , I wouldn't deliver my goods to Pontius Palate himself unless he bad signed the contract firfet." Broker: " Oh. very well ; " and takiag away the document, shortly returned with " God save the' Queen" written across its face, to tho entire satisfaction of the seller, who 1 says.he likes business done in a business ,like way. If my memory does not play me false this person, whose name had been forged on a cheque of considerable amount, iv good faith disclaimed in evidence his genuine signature and acknowledged the actual forgery.