WESTLAND.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1337, 19 February 1867, Page 3

WESTLAND.

HAAST EITEE. The following is an extract from the letter of the special correspondent of the " West Coast Times " :— •.? That gold should have been discovered in the vicinity of Haast river, at a distance of nearly one hundred and twenty miles from Hokitika, whilst notwithstanding the researches of prospectors miles of the intervening country have so far proved unproductive, would naturally lead to the inference that—containing such deposits—the configuration of that part of the coast must be peculiar. Such is, in fact, the case, as from Arnott's point to within some six miles of Jack-' son's bay a strip of flat low land borders the sea, separating it from the spurs of the snowy ranges, which are there between four and five miles distant from the beach. How this strip was formed is a matter of mere speculation, but at the same time would give rise to the propounding of certain theories, each deserving of consideration. Viewing it from the sea I was impressed with the idea that it was entirely owing to river and sea action, and that at no very distant period (geologically speaking) the sea laved the base of the hills, forming with the projecting ranges at Jackson's bay and Arnott point a wide shallow bay or indentation of the coast line. This has been gradually filled up by detritus washed down by the Haast, Okuri, and Deep rivers vrlnch intersect and have their sources far back in the mountains between the points above enumerated. That each rirer then formed a delta is a feasible supposition, and the earthy matter so deposited being acted upon by heavy surf was spread up and down the coast, and thus made a beach that, constantly augmented by washings from the hills, am in course of ages extended to its present position seawards. During thisproceee gold must have been deposited in greater or lesser quantities, as gold-bearing rocks such as slate and quartz enter largely into the composition of the ranges, and their disintegration byaqueous and atmospheric action freed the gold, which through excessive attrition was reduced to the finest powder and carried by floods to the Bpa. In what quantities gold has been deposited in this made country is another question, but I incline to the belief that small leads and patches will oe found from the sea close up to the toga land. At the same time, the country being excessively swampy and thickly timbered, the work of prospectKMjwill ]j e attended by no ordinary Acuity. In fact, a period of wet weather converts the place into a Jagoon, and then the low terraces waicn intersect it longitudinally are None out of water. Very glowing accounts being in circulation of the m&n, a river next to and six miles couth of the Haast, I was induced to extend my ramblings in that direction : pa to secure good walking along the Jeaeh started at low water, in company •"a Inspector Broham and Messrs. tteehaw (Bank of .New South Wales,)

and Byrne, who had determined to visit the diggings. Half the distance being accomplished, they turned off into the bush, and I proceeded on my way, and in due course reached the river, which is certainly a lovely stream, but not so navigable as reports give it out to be. In appearance it very much resembles the Hokitika, being bounded on one side by a lone north spit, and on the other by extensive flat country, closely timbered to the water's edge, and through which two other streams meander, and join the Okari just above its confluence with the sea, and thus discharge their waters through the same outlet. The southernmost stream may be likened to the Hospital creek, as it occupies a precisely similar position at the back of the South spit, and at low water is a mere rivulet. The middle stream, unlike that of Hokitika, is distinct in itself, and evidently takes it rise in a large break in the ranges behind, whilst another, a short distance north, must contain the souces of the main stream. This joining of waters was noticed by diggers, who unacquainted with the native name of the river fancifully christened it the " Three Sisters." Excepting to vessels of light draught, the Okari cannot be considered, a really navigable stream, for although the channel between the spits contains a good depth of water, the bar outside of it is shallow, whilst a ridge of sand that can be crossed by pedestrians at low water runs diagonally across the main stream from the mouth of the middle river. The latter is a little deeper, but is also fordable at low water. The tide waa out when I arrived at the Okari, and an opportunity was therefore afforded mc of inspecting the stream under its worst aspect. My first impressious were not favorable, as a wide bed of drift extended from the north shore to midchannel, whilst the river, reduced to its lowest ebb, exposed a forest of snags, and ran sluggishly downwards a shallow stream, certainly not more than four feet deep. The above remarks apply only to that section of it bordered by the North spit, as further up the stream is more confined and looks much deeper, and winding sharply round to the southward is lost to view. The North spit is nearly half-a-mile in length, having an almost uniform breadth of about one hundred yards, excepting towards the extremity, where it slightly narrows. Diggers who are acquainted with the coast affirm that the position of the river entrance never changes—an assertion which I for one am disinclined to believe, as from the appearance of the shingle it is evident that the river has discharged itself nearly two hundred yards to the northward of the present outlet. I found the cutter Fanny lying in the river, or rather upon the bed of drift above alluded to, and one of her hands informed mc she had arrived from Invercargill with a cargo of provisions and diggers' necessaries, belonging to a Mr Cleave, who selected the banks of the Okari river as a suitable site for a store, and only the day before my arrival had completed the erection of an edifice which was crammed with merchandise, sufficient space of course being left for the accommodation of | customers. My informant also informed mc that the Eanny entered the river without difficulty, six feet being the least water found upon the bar at three-quarter flood; and from soundings taken inside he believed that at high tide the river might contain from eight to ten feet. The Okari is a tidal stream, for when the flood made I noticed a very decided current running upwards. This is somewhat remarkable, as the water shed of the rivers being of considerable extent a strong outflow of fresh water might at all times be expected. The rise and fall of tbe tide at the Okari river may be computed to be from five to six feet. I had a long chat with Mr Cleave, who stated he had been trading on the coast for twelve months, and owned another store at Big bay, about sixty miles south, the only inhabitant of the locality being the man he had left in charge. Mr Cleave however felt confident that a rich goldfield would yet be found in that direction, and anticipating a rush thither had established a depot of provisions upon which he expected to realise a handsome profit. Before leaving the Okari I may state that It is a superior river to the Haast for tho purposes of navigation, as once inside of it vessels may lie snug, being well sheltered from wind and sea. Open Bay Island lies off' the mouth of the river, its bearings being N."W". by W. from the point of the north spit, from which it is distant several miles. The upper part of the spit forms a very eligible site for a township, and should the diggings extend one will doubtless be established there. I returned to the Haast that night, and found huudreds of disappointed diggers wandering about, cursing the unlucky chance that brought them there. Some had been prospecting the back country, aud many had set in at the end of the diggings hoping to recover the lost lead, but without success, and the determination to return to Hokitika as soon as possible waa very generally expressed. THE BULLEB DISTBICT. [From the " Westport Times," Feb. 9.] Though news is scanty in this issue, we are glad to say that it is of a far more cheering character, and there seems every probability that the beaches and rivers to the north will have at least a partial trial. At "Waimangaroa there are now some seventy at work, and though we believe no one has yet bottomed, several nice pieces, each a couple of pennyweights and upwards, have been got. The prospects generally are excellent, but at the same time the work is very hard, and none but those well accustomed to mining difficulties have much chance of success. This more especially applies to the terrace workings, but there is flat ground round that has every appearance of being auriferous. One flat adjacent to the old workings is now being tried, and those setting in have every confidence of success. The prospects of this place aro altogether very favorable, but a few more

days will tell us more. "Whether through being.scared at consequences, or whether it is that people engaged in mining look on newspapers as natural enemies, or from whatever eauso is hard to say, but it is strange

I the difficulty that exists in getting information as to any digging operations. This extends actually to those distant from the scene of operations, and it appears to be thought by some a kind of treason to convey any intelligence whatever. We will give an example of this :—Two small nuggets, together weighing about four pennyweights, were purchased by a man in town from a miner who had got them from the Waimangaroa, with the intention of having a ring made from them. The goldsmith wished to show them to another person, but the possessor findins that it was some one connected with this journal, at once refused to produce them, saving that he was not going "to have them put into the paper." What possible harm could have arisen from such inspection we cannot say, but that is an example of the ridiculous feeling extant. In reference to the Darkies' claim, a3 the prospecting claim is termed, we are informed that a share was sold this week for £40. The diggings are situated about four miles up the river ; we hope in our next issue to give a detailed account of them.

Some very nice small parcels of rough gold have come down the river, ranging from three to six ounces each,

and the parties who brought them have shown their confidence in the district by laying out the proceeds in provisions, and returning. Several have gone during the last few days, and we yet expect to hear of a good goldfield being opened near the Blackwater. The exact locality where the gold in question has been got we do not know, but we do know that it came down the Biiller.

All along the whole northern beach scattered parties are at work, and on Saturday the Union Bank bought a number of small parcels of fine gold got from these places. Though by no means startling, the returns of the parties selling were in all cases considerably more than tucker, and so those at work can afford to wait till something better turns up.

The lugger Star of the Buller returned on Wednesday from the Little Wanganui, and the accounts brought by her are most favorable. We have received information in reference to these diggings from a passenger who has gone up again, aud we believe it to be most thoroughly reliable. It appears that there are about one hundred men on the ground, and two or three stores. Provisions are reasonable, and those present are satisfied with the results. The diggings are on the beach, and it is said that every one who has sot in has got gold more than enough to pay tucker. Some have done much better, but we could not learn what the best yield had been, nor did we gather the extent of ground that there is. It seems that there are three bottoms, or rather auriferous strata — the first about eighteen inches from the surface, the next about two feet further down, and the last three feet from that. Our informant brought down twenty ounces of the precious metal, and says that there are about a hundred ounces to be brought down, if money was there to pay for it. If there is any large area of payable ground, the Little Wanganui promises to bo a most importaut district, and will do much to revive confidence in the diggings to the north.

It is said, though we cannot vouch for the fact, that gold has been struck about a mile inland at Mohikinui, close to the place where the Norwegian led his party such a dance. If this be true his assertions may have some foundation in fact, or it may be that by accident he directed people to where gold was, but which would not otherwise have been sought for.

The Haast fever that has attacked the Hokitika miners so violently has had no perceptible effect here, for many of the miners of this district had experiences of Bruce Bay last year, and believe that this will turn out similar in results. It may be that a patch has been struck, but we doubt even that. Granting that there has, it will not, we venture to say, support a tithe of those that have already gone. If diggers, however, will persist in filling the pockets of steamboat proprietors and emptying their own, well and good, the loss is theirs.