AN INTERVIEW WITH MR ALEX. PARKES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 319, 24 November 1888, Page 2

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR ALEX. PARKES.

Mr Park'ks, who has been for some time past at Karangahake superintending the erection of one of his furnaces there, and latterly a short run to test its efficiency ; having had to suspend smelting operations for a week or so ovrin% to the supply of coal running short, decided to take a trip to the Hot Lakes, whilst awaiting the arrival of the fresh supply. Accompanied by Mrs Parkes he left Karangahake early last week for Paeroa, from whence he proceeded to Waibi, Katiknfci, Tanranga y Hot Lakes district, and back to Te Aroha, whare he arrived by train on Thursday last ; Mrs Parkes proceeding to Auckland from Morrinsville. Yesterday a representative of this journal waited upon Mr Parkes who very courteously afforded him the following information v — At Katikati he saw much to admire and interest him. The scenery will well repay a visit, and he is of opinion there is a good future in store [or the district, as he saw many indications which lead him to believe that that portion of the ranges will yet develope into a payable goldfield. Some specimens of quortz he obtained on the spot, were valuable both for gold, silver, and lead. There is in the district an abundant supply of excellent lime stone (in fact the best he had seen in the Colony), which would prove very valuable for fluxing purposes ; and other materials were to be found in the locality which would prove usef ulin fluxing. He also obtained nearer Tauranga interesting quartz specimens which contained gold, He left with the impression that the ranges in the Katikati district are well worth . being thoroughly prospected ; and will not be in the least surprised to hear of the district yet coming to the front. After spending a day or so at Tauranga, he went on a visit to Rotorua and the hot lakes district generally, being anxious to see for himself as much as possible of a district of which he had heard fo much in connection with the fearful volcanic eruption of such recent date. Ho was very greatly pleased and interested with the marvellous variety and abundance of the mineral springs, with the arrangements at the Sanatorium (erected at such a large cost by Government), and with all he saw. He of course visited Tarawera, and the site of the pink and white terraces, where he collected a groat variety of specimens (for shipment to his home in London), incluiling sprcimens of efiSore-e'nt sulphur, sylica, obsidian, and mud which had been ejected from the various craters in vast quantities.