QUARTZ REEFS IN WESTLAND.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 542, 14 August 1869, Page 2

QUARTZ REEFS IN WESTLAND.

The recent announcement of the discovery of a quartz reef in the range behind Langdon's Ferry, Grey river, has attracted some attention, and a number of men have visited the locality. A. eorrespondent sends the Argus the following as the result of his visit: — Leaving Mr Langdon's Hotel, I proceeded a few hundred yards along the road leading towards the Black Ball, then turned abruptly to the left, and took up a spur loading to the high ranges. I shortly came across places where picks and hammers had been plied about some quartz leaders; but no great amount of labor had ever been expended there. That leaders and also a reef exist here is true, but no gold was to be seen. It is a great pity such a district should have remained so long unnoticed, and a still greater pity that parties whom one would suppose to be interested in the development of matters which conduce to the prosperity and permanency of the district should be so blind as not to have had the place prospected. It is generally believed that gold exists in the reefs hereabouts. Several very fine specimens have been found in a creek close by, by, I believe Patterson and party, while they were working an alluvial claim, and some parties are at present working the same creek, but with what success I am unablo to say. Should gold be got, of which there is but little doubt, were the place tried, water-power is close at hand which would work an over-shot wheel to drive any number of stampers. I conclude that the report of Goz. to the ton, must have originated from the fact of the specimens alluded to having been found distributed about. The W. C. Times says:—"That there are quartz reefs of a payable character in Westland has been all along at least probable, and we are credibly informed that a payable reef was discovered more than two months ago within twenty miles of Hokitika. The discoverers, however, have desired to get an extra claim, and though they

have been endeavoring to do bo for some time, they have been unsuccessful, and consequently have delayed the announcement of their find. We are not justified in giving particulars that have come under our notice, but may say generally that it is possible Mr Beeves may have had some foundation in fact when he predicted a rush to the Taipo."