Prospecting in Westland

Bruce Herald, Volume VII, Issue 650, 17 November 1874, Page 6

Prospecting in Westland

We extract the following from a letter written to the Superintendent of Westland by Fox, the well known prospector, under date October 29:—

After landing at Jackson's Bay, we erected a hut, and housed our provisions, and started up the Smoothwater Creek, prospecting as we went along, finding the color of gold in different places. We continued our journey past the head of the Smoothwater, until we struck the southern branch of the Arawata at a point about 20 miles from the beach line. After several days' prospecting, the weather was so bad as to compel our return to the COaat. The country we traversed was very rough, and covered for the most part with white birch and red pine. The geological formation includes sandstone any slate, with quartz reefs. I did not discover and gold in the reefs, which in other respects appear promising. After returning from the expedition abovesjentione , we started up the Waiatoto river, taking the boat four miles up the river. We pitched the camp, and proceeded up the river, leaving a man in charge of the provisions. We prospected the branches of the river and the "ulUes, but obtained no gold. I observed stones at one place, which, I believe, contained copper, and in the vicinity the stones in the river appeared to have been acted xipon by some metallic substance. I may mention that my dog swam the river at the point, and the water apparently nearly destroyed his eyesight. The banks of the river are flat for about six miles from the mouth, and then we met with a gorge two miles in length, After this the valley Avidened again, with timbered flats. This continued for about 14' or 15miles, when we found another small gorge. Above thil** there was open country for eight or nine miles further. The average width of the Valley was about three, or four miles. We ascended the r/^er 1 point about 45 miles from its mouth. 2'he dividing range is very low towards the heau of the river, and I think it probable 1 that alterably good pass ma/be.discbyerea at this place. . We returned down the river, breaking up the old/camp, "arid, haying pulled down ?u a boat, crossed tne bar, and coasted along southward;,' We landed at Boat Harbpr, hauled the boat and secured lit; arid leaving one .man in charge, proceeded to 'the Gorge Biye*. We vrent; up the river, aud found a little.gold on the bars for eighi or 'nine miles. We did not nnd'gpld past the Forks, but continued our journey iui til we >yere 30 or. 35 miles, up the river, prospecting as we went along. The fcnm^yfltesowftoy fa up tte river fef

somewhat unusual for the Coast, being pip^ clay in places, and a kind of conglomeratet cement, with a heavy wash above in both cases. In the rivers an :l creeks I found iron-, stone boulders of great size. From the bead; to the Forks, wherever I found gold, then was some metallic substance in small particles, a specimen of which I have in my; possession. It appears to be a pure metal. We returned to Boat Harbor, launched the-, boat, and, with fresh supplies from Jackson': Bay, started for Hominy Cove, which we reached on the 22nd of July. After hauling the boat up,, we started for Stafford River, and, having formed a camp, proceeded to prospect the surrounding country. We found gold which would pay small wages, say from 30s ito £2 per week. , The ground,-however, is limited in extent) and is in the line of ranges running parallel' to the coast Hue. On the morning of the 2nd of August the surf on the beach was very heavy, and, although the boat had been removed far above ordinary high - water mark, the heavy sea drove heavy masses of drift-timber up the beach and injured the boat, the stern-post being broken and the garboard streak being started. Two plauks were broken, and the frame- work of the boat was also injured. We had no tools to repair damages, and travelled along the beach to Neil Carmichael, who returned with me to Hominy Cove, aud I gave the boat into his charge. We packed provisions from Jackson's Bay, and prospected the head waters of the Stafford River, and also of Cascade River, and found no gold, though there were many quartz reefs. From the summit of some high hills, about 2000 ft above the level of the sea, I obtained some metallic sand, of which I have a specimen. On the 14th of October our main stock ot provisions was nearly exhausted, and myself and another of the party (Mr Casey), having arrived at the conclusion that there was not sufficient gold in the locality to prove remunerative, left the remainder of the men and started northwards. I reached G-illespie's on the 27th, and am now in Okarito. The total amount of gold obtained by the prospecting expedition was sold for £13 4s fid, which -we have divided between, us. I have taken rough sketches of the river inland.

Okarito, Oct. 29, 1864.