FROM OTAGO TO PERU.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 14 September 1907, Page 3

FROM OTAGO TO PERU.

ADVENTURES OF OTAGO MINERS. London, July 26. Rather more than a year ago, Mr D. Gibson, accompanied by Mr Campbell, left the Otago goldfields bound for Peru. On arrival at Valparaiso, they stayed there for a fortnight, and made good use of the time. Just 12 days before the disastrous earthquake they left for Arequipa, a very ancient town situated at an altitude of 7500 feet up the Andes; it was on arrival there that the news of the terrible earthquake reached them. They then went further inland to Tuapata (12,700 ft), and after a fendays' rest they took mules and crossed right over the Andes, at nn altitude of l(i,800ft. The train and mule journey on the west side of the Andes was chiefly through barren country, but as soon as they crossed the pass vegetation was seen in every direction. After five days' travel by mule Messrs Gibson and Campbell reached the Inambu river in safety, and were surprised to find that (he pontoons of the dredge were just launched, and there was no machinery on board at all, thus for seven months there was practically nothing for them to <hp. To make matters worse, the dredge was built in the wrong place, and the New Zealanders made an attempt to move her down stream 35 miles before she had any machinery on board, except the winch and boiler, but unfortunately they became wrecked, and that settled their nine months' pleasant stay in Peru. During their sojourn in Peru, Mr Gibson saw a tremendous landslip, the whole side of a hill, some 10,000 feet in height, come tearing down. The New Zealanders themselves had a narrow escape, for they were only about 300 yards from the spot. They have come to the conclusion that the Inambau river is very rich, but it was madness trying to dredge the particular part where they were, although lower doivn there are many miles of good dredgable groimil. Being close to the Santo Domingo gold mine—one of the richest in the world—they paid it a visit,and were shown over the mine by the manager; the output is often over lOOoz to the ton, but, of course, working expenses are great. "Peru is indeed a wonderful country," Mr Gibson says, and he was sorry to come away, but as there was nothing more to do, the company paid the passages of himself and Mr Campbell to London. They passed through ruined Volparaiso.and travelled to Liverpool, via Monte Video, Santos, Rio, Bahia, P.mambueo, St. Vincent, Lisboj, Corunna, and La Palice, hy the s.s. Oriau.

London was reached early this month, and. now the visitors are busy sightseeing ami theatre-going. Mr Gibson has accepted an appointment from a French dredging company, whose interests lie in West Africa. On August 4th Mr tiibson will leave for Paris, staving there for a fortnight, on his way' to enter upon his new duties.