THE COAL ISLAND GOLDFIELD.

(By Oor Special Rbfortkr.)

On Tuesday, 19th inst., we left Dunedin in the 8.8. luvercargill bound for Coal Inland. Arriving at Invercargili after a rough passage with heavy head winds, we transhipped to the s.B. Knkanui. Seventeen pasiengers left Dunedin, and two more joined us at Invercargill. The heavy head wind continuing, Captain BcsH thought it advisable to anchor tor the night at tbe mouth of the river. We left again at 6 a.m. on Thursday, and the wind rising rather thau abating, and the captain seeing he could not make Coal Island that niffht ran for Mussel Bay, about 20 miles beyond Centre Island, and anchored again for the night rather than have to beat about Coal Island. He got away again at midnight, but the head wind still continued till arriviog at Coal Island, which she did at 7 a,m. on Friday. The bar at the south-eastern entrance, opposite Puysegur light, being very rough, Captain Be3t determined to round the island to the anchorage, which is only about a mile from the south-eastern entrance. We arrived at the anchorage at 9 a.m. The captain had sounded his whistle at short intervals round the island to announce our arrival to the miners, and when we arrived there were several on the beach to welcome iw. No time was lost in disembarking, the water being pretty smooth inside, yet several passengers got a wetting whilst getting out of the boats. Transhipping the cargo, however, took some time and the steamer did not leave again till late in the afternoon, running up to Big Bay to land one passenger. The impression on first getting a good view of Coal Island is not very cheerful to a stranger, but to anybody who has had the opportunity before of seeing the wonders of the West Coast sounds, the impression was not bo startling. All over tbe island, which probably reaches an altitude of 700 ft or 800 ft at the highest point,' is covered with dense bush and much heavy timber; whilst right through it there is a dense undergrowth of thick moss. In dry weather, which is seldom, it is never dry, because the sun : cannot reach the ground ; but in the wet, it is terribly wet. The landing place is about a quarter of a mile from the, anchorage, and- is a small sandy beach some 60yds wide, by about the same depth. Only a small wooden hut (the store) and some two or three tents are visible from the beach, all the workings being inland on four creeks. These are reached by a- track starting on the beach, up a very steep mountain Bide, and over a country which, it is safe to say, until recently human foot never trod. However, so keen is the race for gold, that whenever it had become known that gold had been discovered, there were' plenty of folio vers. But I must not omit to mention that this track has been greatly improved lately. Mr Simpson, Government surveyor, a few weeks ago completed laying the track for about 300 or 400 yards with split logs, which now provides first-rate travelling well up on to the top of No. 1 creek. Before I proceed to give a desoription of the mining going on, I should like to draw the attention of the Government to the necessity or advisability of providing a surf boat for landing passengers and cargo. Such a boat would be inexpensive, and would be a great boon, for at times the sea outside is so rough as to produce a big swell at the landing place. Also, considering the traffic now going on to and from the island, and considering it is likely to increase as this hitherto comparatively inaccessible part of the country gets better known, it is the duty of the Government to at once arraDge for regular steamer communication and a mail service. Mr Fridham, a miner working on the island, has for a long time conducted a store, where the usual wants of a miner — both eatable and otherwise — could be obtained; but the owner oould not afford to spend all his time away from Ins claim, consequently at times miners coming for stores were disappointed at not being able to get their wants supplied at once, and had to wait till the storekeeper arrived. This defect, I understand, is likely to be remedied in the future, as Mr Eglin, a passenger by the boat, has taken with him this trip a store all ready to be put up (and a stock to fill it), at which he will be always present to attend to the wants of his customers. In fact, I believe he has bought Mr Pridhßm out.J

THE WORKINGS.

As I before mentioned th<> workings are going on on four creeks, all starting near the top of the island aud running into the sea in a S S.W. direction. No, 1 is the shortest, No 2 the longest (probably over three miles long), and Nos. 3 and 4 about two miles long. At the head of No. 2 there is a lagoon or sidhll lake, which has its outlet only through No. 2 creek. I did not see this lagoon, but it is variously estimated to be from 50 acres to 100 acres in extent. The other three creeks derive their supply of water from the rainfall and from the constant percolation of water from the enormous unrWgrowth and swamps which exist wherever there is the slightest fltt land. Partly from my own observation and partly from information received, the following is a correefc list of the parties at present pursuing the mining industry, in all cases starting from the beach. There are on

no. 1 creek

Longnet and part} (3), LitH. j )hn and party (3), Bao'.v aud party (4), and another party, but I v/ab unable to ascertain the nature of their workings in the limited time at my disposal.

NO. 2 CREEK.

Heffernan and party (3) have been working four mouths, are bringing in a grand head race, and are working up the creek, and when this is completed they will ground sluice the terraces on both sides of the creek. There is about 10ft of wasbdirt on the creek, and it gets shallower as it goes back from the creek. Mackenzie and party (4) have only been working about a week, and are just opening out. Morgan and party (8) have constructed a eplendid tail race of about; four ohaina in length. They We been on the olaim about seven or

eight months, have a face of about 30ft or 40ft to work upon, and it will probably last them for six months.

Payn and party (3) are the original pros* pectors, and have an extended claim, which they are working in a most systematic manner. This claim has probably produced more gold than any other claim, though there are others which run it very close. Curran and party (4) have been working seven months, and have ab present only worked one side of the creek. This they have nearly worked out, and are preparing to open out the other side.

West's party (5) have been working for five months. This is the claim where the lO^z 7dwt nugget was obtained. . Edgeworth and mate have just taken up the claim which was abandoned by Jones and party, and are setting to work in real earnest. Todd and .party (3) have been working six months. They have constructed a grand tail race, and are working the claim most systematically. Winter and party (5) have occupied the claim two months. They have it well forward, and are cutting across the flit to tiy aud catoh a lead of gold. M'Fadyen and party (3) have been working five months. They also intend going back from the creek to try and catch the lead of gold. NO 3 cheek.

Gunn and mate are tbe only miners working on this creek, and their work is mostly preliminary. They have only been there a short time.

NO. 4 CEBEK. •

Mackay and party (5) and M'GM and party are the only two working on this creek, aud thiy are b -.sily engaged opening up the claims. From the above it will be seen that there are between 60 and 70 aimers at work. The hed rock over the greater part of the island is a soft greyish sandstone, though at one end it is of a hard bluish stone. The stripping down to the bed rock varies from sft to 20ft, and the washdirt is not in great quantity in most of the olaims. No real lead of gold hss yet been found, and the gold is very erratic. The miners tell me they may work for weeks without getting anything worth mentioning, and then they may drop on a patch containing several ounces. The gold is nearly all of a splendid coarse sample and it is not uncommon to strikeounce nuggets, while pieces from §dwt to lOdwts are plentiful enough when they once get on to it. And it disappears as quickly as it makes its appearance. The ground all over the island is most difficult to work on account of the enormous granite and other boulders to be found everywhere These stones are all rounded, and some up to 20 tons and probably more are often met with- They cannot be shifted except by blasting, and this

would be too expensive, so they have to work round and under them. The roots of trees are also very troublesome, as they run through the ground everywhere, but the axe soon brings them to their level. In all the claims that have been opened for months the work has evidently been done in a most systematic manner, giving an observer the impression that the owners were doing their best to secure every particle of gold. Nearly all the miners are located in the old-fashioned tent — the miner of to-day believes in perpetuating the old original style of doing things — but in many cases they have been made really comfortable. All live on their claims and go periodically to the store for provisions ; the high trees in the vicinity of the tents have been felled, and tbis allows the sun to r«aoh them, and thus partially to dry the ground. Trenches are also cut round the tents to carry off the surface drainage. The water supply is publio, the warden very rightly having refused to grant a monopoly to any individuals. Water soarcely ever runs short. In No. 2 creek, the longest, there is a constant supply of many Government heads, and each party uses it in tnru and lets it run on down to the next claim. This creek is the only one fed by the lagoon and is never dry, but the other three are dependent on the rainfall and surface drainage as before stated ; but they rarely get very low, for so sure as the supply begins to fail, so surely does a plentiful rainfall replenish them. I had almost forgotten to mention that there is abundant evidence that the formation is glacial ; and from the appearance of the land on the island and that on the main land, it is evident the island was once a portion of the main land. The gold found on the island is worth about £3 164 an ounce, but I was informed of cases where bauks had only given £3 12s for it, and the miners who only got the latter amount were not a little dissatisfied at it. The timber for the boxes has to be imported, but as there is any quantity on the island, if the demand should be sufficiently large, I dare say means will bo found to utilise that on the spot. Pyrites abound more or less in all the claims, and this is a good evidence of the proximity of gold. I was informed by one person he could collect several tons of pyrites. They are to be found in some cases in large boulders. Judging from what I saw and heard generally, I come to the conclusion that the miners who have been some months on the ground have every reason to be satisfied. Some told me they had not got much gold, but from their general appearance and behaviour I came to the conclusion they were not doing badly. The miner is a queer ouss ; he is very jealous lest anybody should trespass in his neighbourhood; he is a prevaricator, and Is very are most experienced in navigation, and are

reticent as to the real profits of his business. They are neatly all alike. Here and there there is an honest one who will confide the truth to you; but they are scarce, and even then they may not be telling you the truth. Nevertheless they are really a first-rate set of miners — sober (there is no public house there), hospitable, glad to see you, and, give you of whatever they have (bar gold). All are .making tucker — some a good bit more; while two or three claims are doing remarkably well. All who may determine to give Coal Island a trial must be' prepared- to do at least two or three months' dead work. They make strike it before tben, and they may not strike it even then. There is lots of gold there. The best claims are of course occupied, but on an island that measures 15 miles round, and has only been peopled for 12 months, can be said to have hardly been scratched. The south-western corner of the South Island has long enough been known to be highly auriferous, and the discovery on Coal Island may be looked upon as the dawn of an era of prosperity for this district. Hitherto the great drawback has been the means of subsistence, and the means of transit. Now that stores are obtainable on the spot this difficulty has beeu overcome. Prospectors can make Preservation Inlet their headquarters and thence proseoute their researches. Besides those already mentioned on Coal Island there are probably 20 more prospecting on Steep-to Island. This is the name given on the chart, aud which has hitherto been called Orayfwh Island. Several parties — probably 20 persons — are also prospecting on the main land. The result of the crushing of the stone found on the beach by Cullen and Clark is not yet known. These two are still seeking for the reef from which the stone was detached. Some persoms say they have found it, but I think it doubtful, I believe they have found a leader or two clo-e to the spot where the quartz was found, but the general impression is that it comes from a reef in the main land. By the Eakanui Captain Bradshaw, of the Bluff, brought about a ton of stone from a spot near Cattle Cove to be crushed. He has two sons living in Preservation Inlet, who are constantly projecting, and they, having a smart cutter, are able to cruiso about from place to place. I understand most reasonable arrangements could be made with them to conduct a small party of five or six excursionists to any part of the sounds and extending over aDy period of time. She is comfortably fitted with sleeping and every accommodation, and anybody availing themselves of such an opportunity would find themselves amply repaid, as there is abundance of shooting, fishing, and a large field for the explorer or seeker after science such as the sounds afford. The owners

thoroughly conversant with every place and thing likely toproveof interest. Nofchinghasbeen seen or heard of the body of poor George Clark, who was drowned at the island some months since. More than one seam of coal has been found on the island, bat they are at present in lignite form.

I will now give a few items apart from mining. There is a small colony of penguins living in a cave not many hundred yards from the landing place. I was not informed of their existence till after I had left, or I would have called and had a look at them. The island had just been visited by large quantities of pigeons and kakag, but they had left for pastures new. The kiwi and Maori hen are there in quantity, likewise the tui, and the usual species of New Zealand small bush birds. The robin i<< plentiful, and very domesticated Even while I was taking these notes and partaking of the hospitality of a digger in bis tent, one of theae little chaps flew in tho opening by the chimney on to the table and stole a crumb of bread. Now I must leave friends and get to foos — rats. They are everywhere, and nothing is safe from them unless it is in tin or iron. The diggers fix a box on four poles and put a strip of tin about a foot wide round each of the legs. That fixes them— they can't get over that; bnt if they want anything in wood, paper, or canvas, they'll have it. The water all over the island is discoloured, aud is for all the world the colour of weak tea. This is caused by it percolating through the enormous mass of rotting leaves and trees. It; is, however, not bad drinking, especially when one cannot get anything else, but has a slight flavour suggestive of the ground through which it has passed. I could not get at anything like the value of the gold produced from tho field, but would not be surprised if it ran up to nearly lOOOoz The chief trees on the island are red pine, maple, rata, and totara. Some red pine I saw must have mpa-*nred 4t"t in diameter. The usual varieties of fprns are to be found all over the island, one— tho kidney— growing and thriving in the most extravagant luxuriance. Ono advantage — and the onl y one I can reme mber — a traveller or explorer has in going through the bush, is that there are no prickly shrubs (at least I saw none), such as the lawyer, to contend against ; but the supplejack is *here all the same. Well defined traoks— sufficiently defined for those who know them — have been cut, aud with very little trouble one can find his way from one creek to the other; but outside of these particular tracks no one has apparently ventured. Time will tell, however, and I should not be surprised to see a considerable addition to the population in this distrtot during the summer. A trial can be given at very reasonable outlay now that

communication and stores are provided ; bnt nobody should go who is not prepared, as I said before, to do three months' hard dead work. The Kakanui made a very smart run to Big Bay, and she was back at Coal Island by 9 a.m. on Sunday, having travelled since she left on Friday 280 miles. She had a fair wind all the way there and back. Altogether 12 left by her for the Bluff and Dunedin, and of these nearly all will return by the next boat She left Coal Island at 1 p.m , and arrived at Bluff at 10 p.m. ; sailed at 3.30 a.m. on Monday for Waikawa to load timber, arriving there at 8 a.m ; left again at 6 p.m., and arrived at Port Chalmers at 7 a.m. on Taesday. Whilst at Waikawa I took the opportunity of having a look , at the beach workings. There are seven or eight men working, arid all are said to be doing well. The limited supply of water is the reason why many more are not located there. I was assured the gold runs right through the sand all along the beach right back to the baso of the hills, and in every part of it the colour can be got in the dish. The slight fall of the beach is the great drawback and much dark Baud lying below low water mark has to be left untouched. The whole of the water commanding this beach is held by two or three parties. Arrangements had been made by an Invercargill firm to purchase these rights, but I hear the sale is not yet completed. They were wanted for the purpose of working a dredgf, but the purchasers are awaiting the result of triils of machinery going on elsewhere. Captain Best and his officers were most attentive to their passengers throughout the voyage to Coil Island and back, and made the very most of the limited accommodation at their disposal. The Kakanut* proved herself equal to the task set her, notwithstanding the strong south-west gale blowing during the first half of her journey. Just a hint to her ownerß. It is scarcely the correct thing to issue 19 passage tickets and only provide five buukß. The balance had to sleep on the floor and on bags of potatoes in the foretold.