EXPLORATIONS NORTH OF KARAMEA.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 826, 17 June 1871, Page 2

EXPLORATIONS NORTH OF KARAMEA.

We have received from Mr Reuben Waite- the narrative of a journey northwards from Karamea to Collingwood. The writer, accompanied by his nephew James Waller, started on May Ist, and reached the Heaphy river ; but, in'consequence of detention by heavy rains, returned to Karamea for provisions. The journey was resumed on the 11th, and the Heaphy river was reached the same ni»ht. This stream is described as having a fine entrance for small craft, but no shelter in bad weather. On the 12th they started up the Heaphy for the Grouland Downs, but, owing to unsettled weather, camped after proceeding a couple of miles. The bush here is perfectly alive with wood hens, and Waller caught five without moving from the camping place. The following morning they searched for a track made some years ago by the then Superintendent, Mr Robinson. This track was cut in consequence of the privations that the Buller miners were exposed to by the irregular visits of vessels with provisions, and may be cited as a laudable instance of the prompitude of that lamented gentleman. The course of the track was from Collingwood, running along the Aourere Valley, over the Saddle, and the Gouland Downs, and down the Heaphy river to the coast. They succeeded in striking the track, but after following it a mile lost all trace. Under the impression that a portion had been washed away by freshets, they cut a passage for a considerable distance through the bush ; but, still unsuccessful, retraced their steps, and camped, not making a mile that day. While Waite dried the tent the following morning, Waller stripped and crossed the river, aud was successful n discovering the track. They continued their journey, crossing the river fourteen times that day in a dial tance of fourteen miles. The late rains had swollen the current, which was fearfully cold, and they decided to forego the process of stripping when crossing the river in order to save time. The rain had also saturated the bush, and their upper clothin» was consequently as wet as if they had been completely immersed in the river. Our travellers finally arrived at the Great Spur leading to the Gouland Downs, which Mr Waite thus describes:—"lt was a long and arduous journey—none of your piccaninny Mount Eochfort spurs, but a real " Old Man" Spur. The brush having grown over the track, and the continued rain, together with our heavy swags, made it hard aud tedious work. My nephew carried sixty pounds and I fifty-six pounds, and this weight was greatly increased by the wet that had saturated our clothes

and blankets. We camped that night on the Gouland Downs. For some distance up the Heaphy the country is open and level, containing several large flats of good soil." The Gouland Downs, which were reached on the evening of the 16th ult., are named after a gentleman noflr resident in Nelson, aud who was for. mcrly Resident Magistrate at Colling, wood. Ho took up some country i u that locality for a sheep' and cattle run, but abandoned the enterprise. The country is similar in appearance to Waite's Pakihi, but of wider ex. tent. As far as the eye can reach a gently undulating table-land is spread, the ridges having the appearance of earthworks constructed for the pur. pose of defence, and numerous creeks intersect the country in every direction. The surface consists of a light soil, resting upon a bed of fine gravelly quartz, and beneath that again is a yellow clay. Had the weather been favourable, the explorers would have remained a while, the country being easy to get about, and no bush to dra» through; but it was one continuous downpour of hail, snow, and rain, with the wind blowing a hurricane, and thunder and lightning at short intervale. It was also piercingly cold, so that to remain was impossible. Mr Waite continues hia narrative as follows:

" We frequently lost our. tract, the snow poles being blown down in many places, and the track not being much worn and covered with snow. We were the whole day dodging about, wet through, until we made a bush, and camped. Just before camping we saw a wood-hen on the snow. My nephew " down swag," but his hands were so cold that he had some difficulty in tying the flax to make a sn ire to catch it. (We always carried the wing of a bird for a bait with, us.) We soon had the bird, for my nephew is a capital hand at catcbing them. We camped soon after, but had some difficulty in making a fire, as it was snowing, hailing, and freezing. We always carried from camp to camp a bundle of dry brush to light a fire with, or we should have been often without a fire—our greatest friend. I am of opinion tbat these Downs and the neighbourhood will be yet a vast goldfield. It has not as yet had a chance to be properly tried. In the spring, summer, and autumn it will be a plea, sant place. The ground over which I passed is not soft or boggy, but was good walking, and it has the same appearance all over. If like this in winter, what would it be in summer ? This night we had to keep watch, as it was snowing and freezing, and it was not safe to let the fire go out. Our blankets were wet; ourselves wet also; we took turns to sleep, the wind blowing strong and cold all night, with thunder and lightning What a treat it was to see the daylight again. Next morning we caught another wood hen, which gave us a warm drop of soup for breakfast, thickening it with oatmeal and currie, minus vegetables."