EXPLORATIONS NORTH OF KARAMEA.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 827, 20 June 1871, Page 2

EXPLORATIONS NORTH OF KARAMEA.

On Thursday, May 18, we travelled for some distance through a wooded country, crossing numerous creeks and terraces, until we reached an open but hilly pakihi. gj It was freezing hard, and there was a bitterly cold wind, with snow and hail. At times the wind blew with such force that it was impossible to make headway, and when we did face it, our hair and clothes were immediately stiffened with the frost. "We were now advancing through th,e gorge leading to the Aorere Saddle. There was an abundance of thin manuka scrub, but the surrounding hills were bare. Altogether the appearance of the country from this to Collingwood is highly auriferous. On descending from the Saddle there is a precisely similar spur to that on the Heaphy side of the tableland. We hastened down at full speed, and soon felt a sensible difference in the temperature. We could hear distinctly the roar of a large river in the valley, some thousands of feet below, and reached it in time to camp. We were very fatigued and worn out, not having slept the previous night, and |

were thankful to be able to lie down and sleep without fear of consequences. On Friday, May 19, having dried our clothes, blankets, and tent, we crossed the Brown river, and followed itß bank down the Aorere Valley to its juuction with the Aorere. The latter is a large river, and has some extensive tracts of rich lands on its banks. There is every facility also for making a dray road from Collingwood to the foot of the mountain, from w dch point a short day's march brings the traveller to the Gouland Downs. After walking some miles down the valley along a very fine road we reached the crossing at Salisbury Creek. On the opposite side we saw a good sized house and cabbage garden. A canoe was secured to the further bank, and we cooed for a ferryman but were doomed to disappointment as our cries met with no response, and the river was too deep to ford and too cold to swim. Up to this point pack horses and bullocks bring goods for parties working at a place called the Quartz Ranges. They are old West Coast miners, and, I believe, are making fair wages. From this point the road was fearfully bad, slough up to the thighs in many places, caused by the traffic of cattle. We camped on the roadside that evening in a wet miserable spot, and the following morning, Saturday, May 20th, having gone through the usual process of drying our clothes, bedding, &c, made a start through the mud and roots. The weather was fine, however. On our way we came across large numbers of fine pigs, and passed various small dwellings, none of which were inhabited. We also heard a gun fired in the bush and making in the direction, fell in with the first human being we had met since leaving Karamea. The man knew me well by sight and, after a few friendly remarks, we trudged along until we reached the crossing of the Aorere, about four miles from Collingwood. Here we fell in with another friend who invited us to a repast consisting of, tea, bread, butter and honey, while we waited for the Maoris to ferry us across the river. We remained fully three hours before any one came, and then it was a Maori girl with a little shell called a canoe, which few would have cared to trust themselves in. I was told it was no uncommon thing for pedestrians to be kept waiting for hours at the crossing, and I was surprised that the Government should leave the ferry in the hands of the Maoris. Here "is a large river within five miles of Collingwood, in the midst of a district that has been settled for years, that is at all times dangerous to cross, totally unprovided for in the matter of a ferry. The Maoris are not compelled to fetch a person across, and the consequence is that they only cross the river when it suits their pleasure. This crossing is on the main line of road. We arrived in Collingwood at half-past four p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, May 21, we remained in Collingwood, and rested. The following day we laid in a fresh stock of provisions, and got shod anew, the soles of my boots having parted company with the uppers during the journey. We started on our return trip by way of West Waaganui, along the Coast by Rocks Point, and arrived at Wanganui Store on the Tuesday evening, May 2 3rd. A saddle leads from Wanganui Inlet to the coast, which we crossed the following morning. The day being showery, and the wind very strong, we only went about nine miles, and were obliged to camp. The sand was driven in dense clouds into our faces, and with such force as to nearly suffocate one. We camped on the bank of the Paterson river, and the following day, May. 25th, reached Anatori Creek, and went about four miles up it. Some very rich workings have existed at this river, and there are still parties working, besides others stationed in the locality.. The land along the Coast from Cape Farewell to Kaurangi Point is claimed by the Maoris, as also the country inland for some distance ; and it is owing in some measure to this fact that mining has been so greatly retarded in this district. The natives claim the fee for a miner's right, and as soon as any person sets in to work an old Maori named Rewi walks up and produces his license book, stating at the same time that he requires £1 for a license. He has a proper book, signed by Mr Alexander Mackay. Of course, the Maoris give nothing in return for this money beyond permission to mine, and as the Government make no roads, whatever has been done in this respect was by the diggers themselves, and the country is, therefore, very difficult to get through. There are about thirtyfive men digging thro ughout the district, and the country has every appearancelof a gold district. There is a fine sandy beach from a little beyond the Wanganui Saddle to the Big river, a distance of fifteen miles. There is no land worth cultivating between Anatori and Big River, except at the Teramawiwi. [to be continued.]

An Irishman, eating his first green corn, handed the cob to the waiter, and asked : " Will ye plaze put somo banes on me shtick."

Law is like a sieve, you may see through it, but you must be considerably reduced before you can get through it. Ynung girls with ideas up to the top of the scale are requested to take notice that the most fashiouable marriages now are those conducted with the greatest simplicity.