THE BIG BAY DISTRICT.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 1, Issue 25, 31 August 1886, Page 2

THE BIG BAY DISTRICT.

A report bv Mr Durward. mansgr of tlie Red Hills Mineral Company, has boon present**! to tl.< Directors i f hi* Company in Christchurch. It gives the result of a pru'pscl.ng il-

pcditloii iii the Big Hay and Red Hill uislricta, and a copy has been sent to A Mr lairnach. Tin- expedition, which “ won under Mr l>urward's command, went from Hokitika to Big Kiver, and cut a tract thence to lied Hill. The party got the color of gold in branches of l’yrees Kiver, but in no considerable quantities. Ited Hill is quite destitute of vugitation of anv kink, and stands out with scorched copper-colored apjicaraiice. Mr Durward traced sixteen dilferent lodes on the range, and took specimens from each. They camped on the wuslern side of the Casade lliver, on the spot where a supposed rich field of gold was made •to years ago, but were unable to discover any traces of the drivo said to have then been made. A considerable quantity of quartz brought down from the Harrier range was found in the river head, but no gold was discovered. Many prosjiecis were tried in the riverl«.sl and creeks, but with the same result. The climate is reported to be very moist, and consequently proajiectmg can only lie carried on under I’rtp ' ..salvantage. With respect to furore work, the Host district, in Mr Durward'o opinion, is that situated on the west side of the Oorge lliver -plateau. The terrace on the northern shore of Dig Hay has also a very promising , appearance. For minerals other than gold the Ited Hill and Olivine Itanges offer the most encouragement. “ From the foregoing •says Mr Durward) you will gather that the expedition has not been productive of anything definite as regards tlisc very, and I should impress upon any party proceeding to the district li • ■ fact that gold and other minerals, if tin y do exist in payable quantities, can only be secured by the expenditure of considerable capital. It is also imp* rative that a properly qualified iiiincralogiat should accompany the p »riy prospecting for minerals, in order to save time and possibly vexation." In conclusion Mr Durward say s :—•• While unable to state that payable gold was found by us, 1 am d- mindly of opinion that tlio field is a most promising one for those who go prepared to put up with the hardships incidental to its climate and rugged nature. It is intended to send the liiitetaoa to Dig Hay to convey the prnsjieciors from the various parts of the Colony.—N. Z. Times.