CENTRAL OTAGO FROM THE AIR.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20828, 11 April 1933, Page 4

CENTRAL OTAGO FROM THE AIR.

MOVING PICTURES OF GOLD-BEARING COUNTRY. FLIGHT BY MR J. C. MEKCEK. Fine moving pictures from the air or the gold-bearing country in Central Otago were secured during an aerial tour carried out by Mr J. C. Mercer, instructor to the Canterbury Aero Club, and Mr W. A. Hopkins (representing Investigators, Ltd.). The 600 feet of lilm, which were shown yesterday, give remarkable views of the rugged country, where deep valleys cut the mountain ranges, and of the small patches of flat land, intersected by old water-races, which miners constructed in the early days of the gold rush. The flight was carried out so that observations might be made of the gold-bearing areas, their relation to the water supplies, and the relation of one water supply to another. As the aeroplane, leaving Georgetown, followed through Golden Gully and flew high over Dansey Pass, some fine pictures were taken. There were shown great mounds of tailings which desolated the country for miles around. As the machine flew through the Kawarau Gorge to Arrowtown, and over the Shotover and Skippers districts, men could be seen workihg in small patches of land almost surrounded by mountains. Flying Low Over Kawarau Gorge. As the machine flew over Queenstown, Lake Wanaka was clearly seen, and then the picture moved back up the Kawarau Gorge. Mr Mercer was flying no more than 100 feet above the river, and here there was one of the most impressive glimpses of the whole film —a glimpse of the narrow river rushing down between the high mountains. The wreck v of the old Lady Ranfurly dredge stood out clearly, and around it there were big heaps of tailings, which appeared as white masses against the dark background of the mountains. Following up the Kawarau Gorge the machine reached the confluence of the Nevis, and here many prospectors could be seen at work. A boring plant established in the valley could be clearly seen. Crossing over the headwaters of the Nevis, the picture showed the drag-line equipment at Nokomai. The Rcmarkablcs at Dawn. An outstanding impression was the picture of the Remarkables, taken at dawn, from a height of 10,000 feet. Crossing over to Tuapeka, the pictures showed Weatherstones and the old claims in Gabriel's Gully and at Blue Spur. At Lake Waipori, the Dunedin hydro-electric scheme was seen, and then the pictures followed down the Mosgiel valley, across the Taieri plains and back to Dunedin.