EXPLORATIONS NORTH OF KARAMEA.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 829, 24 June 1871, Page 3

EXPLORATIONS NORTH OF KARAMEA.

On Saturday, Juno 3rd, we caught several wood hens, which with nekau furnished a hearty meal; and, having packed up tent and blankets, continued our return journey with greater cheerfulness. The weather was fine and clear, and in the distance we were able to distinguish the bight of the Heaphy. A fine sandy beach, with here and there a few rocks, was now traversed, until reaching an abrupt promontory, the spur of which we climbed, and from the summit saw with delight the broad valley of the Heaphy lying at our feet. Prom the Heaphy we knew that an easy day's journey would bring us to the Karamea. We descended into the valley, reached the river about three o'clock the same afternoon, and having crossed, proceeded some two miles bofore camping. Nearly opposite to our camping ground was a mussel bed. Waller went for a dishful, and in returning fell, hurling his arm severely. AVe were both liable to fall at the slightest obstacle, having become much weakened and exhausted by exposure, wet, and shortness of food. Here we fell in with a camping place but recently deserted, and found & 21b coffee tin three parts full of leaven. This we fried in the dish with some wood hen oil, and enjoyed amazingly, being the first bread we had tasted for many days. The wood hens were very numerous, so that we had no difficulty in getting a meal, and there was an abundance of nekau The weather was fine, and having an excellent night's rest, we resumed our journey the following morning, Sunday, June 4th. We started in excellent spirits, confidently expecting to reach Karamea the same night. The first eight miles were very bad travelling, large boulders the entire distance, which were very slippery, and, the nailß in our boots being much worn, we were the more liable to fall. I had travelled about five miles over these boulders when I met with a terrible fall. I slipped off a large rock, falling heavily on my right hip and arm. My hand was severely hurt, and at first I thought the hip was dislocated, as I was unable to rise for several minutes, and ielt deadly faint. After a rest of a few minutes I managed to crawl along the remaining distance over the boulders, and having surmounted a spur reached the Ninemile River (a stream so named by the diggers from its being nine miles from Karamea). From this river to Karamea the road is a good sandy beach, and I managed to reach home that night, though with great difficulty. I attributed my fall to mere weakness and exhaustion, and indeed I had passed hundreds of places on the journey infinitely more difficult and dangerous. It struck me as singularly unfortunate that an accident should befal me just at the close of the journey, but I was very grateful that the result was not more serious. Many times during the journey such a contingency as the breaking of an arm or leg caused me much apprehension, when the only course would have been to pitch the tent, to make the sufferer as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, and the one who was unhurt would then have left for assistance. Personally, I would rather be killed outright than be completely disabled under circumstances of such difficulty. We crossed the Oparara, and arrived at Karamea about ten o'clock at night, worn out and exhausted, the remnants of our clothing presenting one mass of tatters. The result of the journey has proved to me that there is a vast tract of the Province still untried. One hears it often said that the Province is done, that the entire country has been thoroughly tried, and other similar remarks. My experience teaches me that it is generally this class of croakers who derive the benefit from the exertions and energy of others. They will do nothing themselves, nor will they render the slightest assistance to others in discovering new country, but let the prospects of a new district once be assured, these very same croakers are among the first to take advantage of the opportunity. I am satisfied that the Province of Nelson is not half worked, and that it contains thousands upon thousands of acres of auriferous country yet untried. lam confident that if encouragement were given to diggers by making a fair road, so that provisions could be obtained at a reasonable rate, the Upper Heaphy (where good prospects have already been obtained), the Gouland Downs, and the valley of the Aorere as far as the Quartz Ranges would become one large and payable goldfield. All the rivers and streams from Anatori to Kaurangi Point take their rise from the Gouland Downs, and some of these have been proved nch. AloDg the entire coast from Bocks Point to the Heaphy river there we likely looking creeks, but the oush is so impenetrable that I fear there will not soon be a goldfield of a ny importance in that locality. Prospecting is almost impossible in the absence of roads, and in the rough con"ition of the country in that portion ; of the Province. Reuben Waite.