DR HECTOR'S EXAMINATION OF THE NORTHERN BEACHES.

Southland Times, Issue 625, 30 January 1867, Page 3

DR HECTOR'S EXAMINATION OF THE NORTHERN BEACHES.

(Prom the Westport Times, January 9.) As we stated in our last issue, Dr Hector has arrived in Westport, being now engaged in a geological survey of this part of the island. We understand that he came direct from Collingwood, and has followed the coast line generally from that place. Eespecting existing diggings, it appears that no gold has ever been got north of the Karamea till reaching the Patarau, where a few miners at one time worked with some success. Prom Collingwood he thinks that auriferous rocks extend to the S.S.W., through the head of the Aorere and Anatoki, in the direction of the upper Karamea, and on to the Lyall. On the Golden Downs, up the Heaphy, on the Slate and Eoeky Eivers, the Wanganui, the Wangapeka, and the I Matiri, gold has already beensrot. ii xmiier north wara m« guxu- j bearing rocks are more or less completely cut off from the coast by ranges of nonauriferous mountains composed of granite and sandstone which are steep and almost inaccessible. The Karamea and Mokihinui rivers break through these ranges by gorges, and here the vast difficulties that attend mining adventure begin. It is impossible to clamber along the sides of those places with heavy loads, and the current is so teriffic that canoes have no chance of getting through under the most favorable circumstances. Although unquestionably auriferous country is beyond, it is, for the above reason, unusually difficult of access from the westward, and it is from mining parties being unable to penetrate the rivers high enough, Dr Hector considers that so many unprofitable expeditions have been occasioned. As a possible access to the country, it may be mentioned that there is a pass from the upper Mokihinui to the Matiri, and a pass is supposed to exist between the upper Mokihinui and the Lyall. On the present beach of the Karamea there are but few indications of its being very payable, and in fact, all the beach diggings in that part of the country hold only gold that has been first washed down through the gorges above mentioned, and then cast up by the sea. If there is gold on the Karamea Plat he considers it will be got behind the big lagoon. He speaks highly of the coal resources of Mount Eochfort, Mokihinui and the Nakawa, but his examination of this district has been a very cursory one so far, though, completed, it cannot fail to be productive of the best results, and to afford reliable information of the highest value to the miners on the coast. In reference to the road northward, as so many are now going in this direction, it is not out of place to give some few particulars which, obtained from such a source, may be relied on. Prom here to Mokihinui is seven hours good walking, and it should be traversed as far as possible at low water, as there is then a good firm sand. At high water the track is without rocks, but over shingle, and consequently harder walking. From Mokihinui northwards the beach is rugged, and there are two spurs to be gone over. One of these is 1000 feet high and very steep, and bad on both sides. At Otahu creek, two miles south of the Wanganui there is good camping ground, at the north side-of this steep hill. Prom the Wanganui to the Karamea it is all sandy beach, but there is a large lagoon that must be crossed at low water, about three miles before reaching the main river. At the latter place there is a house built by the Government on an island, which is going to be if it isjnot already occupied as a store and ferryhouse. Up the Karamea parties can readily penetrate some eight miles, an amply sufficient distance to allow all the low lying ground to be prospected. Dr Hector estimates the time to go from Mokihinui to the Wanganui to be five hours hard walking - from the latter to the Karamea, two and a half or three hours. North again there is a sandy beach to the Kohaihai ; but in this district there is a saltwater creek, which must be crossed at dead low water. The distance from the Karamea to the Kohaihai is seven miles, and the latter river can be crossed within two hours of low water. A steep hill for the first mile, and a rocky beach for the remainder, brings the traveller to the Heaphy, ten miles. At the Heaphy a good track turns up into the interior, crossing the river nine times, and rising 3000 feet to cross the Golden Downs. The Slate Eiver can be made in three days from the West Coast, if the weather be favorable. Prom the Heaphy northward the coast is very rugged, and, in fact, absolutely dangerous, a portion of it being almost impracticable, and over granite boulders. Prom Awaruto to Cape Parewell, limestone bluffs and sandy bays again prevail, most of the streams rising in granite till the Paterau is reached. As already mentioned, there were diggings here about a year ago, but of limited extent, being the only place where gold has been found west of Whakamarama ranges. As an impression has prevailed that stores are obtainable in West Wanganui, it is well for them to be dispelled at once. There is no store there whatever, and when the men employed by the company come to get out coals they merely bring provisions for themselves, carrying their supplies from Collingwood. The Maoris in the district are wholly without food, pending the digging of their potatoes, excepting shell -fish, which are, however, abundant, and easily procured, crayfish, oysters, cockles, and mussels being found in quantity. A prospecting party recently started on a tour from Collingwood for the sources of the Aorere, but have not since been heard of, and nothing is known as to their success or otherwise.

In conclusion we may add, Dr Hector's impression is that where the coast ranges can be passed coarse gold will be got, but to do so is difficult if not impossible by any but property equipped parti op. The gold seems to -have its matrix iv a slip of slate rock trending S.S.W. from Collingwood, and probably continued in a line passing through the upper Karamea, Mokihinui? and bending a little to the S.W. through the district di-ained by the Lyal and the Inangahua rivers. Prom the above we may conclude that while there is every probability of gold existing in paying quantity towards the sources of the streams that drain the north-western district of this province, miners must be prepared to encounter much greater difficulties and hardships for its extraction than they have yet experienced on other parts of the West Coast of New Zealand.