TO THE COAST FOR GOLD

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22343, 5 March 1938, Page 21

TO THE COAST FOR GOLD

THERE is no doubt that gold exists away to' the north in quartz reefs. Streams flowing away from the mountains nearly fell contain gold. Many years after cur trip through the gorge I was one of a syndicate that sent a party of prospectors to prospect the country to the north of the Cannibal Gorge; but although they did not obtain gold in payable quantities in the lower country, they actually got loose gold in river lets right up to the snowline thousands of feet above sea level. This country is practically unprospected, and if it is developed it will be, as in every other case, the prospector with the pick, shovel, spear, and dish who will do it. I have had experience extending over 50 years, and can aver that in every case ■where payable gold has been found it has been through the energy and

A Journey 50 Years Ago

(Specially Written for "The Press" by HENRY BETTS.) 11l

persistence of the individual miner, and in my humble opinion it will always be so, geologists and geophysicists notwithstanding. I noticed Mr Coates asked a question in the House recently about this, but did not get much, if any, satisfaction. I have digressed somewhat from our journey through the Cannibal Gorge, so I will now resume my account. But I would emphasise the necessity of the Minister for Internal Affairs, and the Minister for Mines, making strict inquiry into the cost and utility of geological and geophysical operations, and the results compared with results from individual prospecting over a long period of years. Early Legend We started away from our camp at the head of the gorge to make

our way down to the Maruia plain. The passage was extremely rough, and it was vith the greatest difficulty that we were able to get the horses through, the continual crossings of the stream proving very difficult and dangerous with practically no track to follow. It took three days to reach the hot springs, but we were delighted to get out of the gloom of the gorge into the bright sunshine. For grandeur of scenery, in my opinion, there is not any part of New Zealand equalling the splendour of the Cannibal Gorge. The high mountains tower nearby straight up from the gorge, and they are clothed with bush right up to the snowline; but people having the rough passage we had were not in the mood to view it admiringly. Nevertheless, the awe-inspiring grandeur and beauty is there. A splendid view of the gorge can be had from the road recently constructed on the western side of the Lewis Saddle, and I am sure that it will be very much admired by tourists. We had plenty to eat during our passage through the gorge, the blue I mountain) duck being very plentiful; but we did not catch any eels. I think Mr James Cowan must have been mistaken about the Maori fighting over the possession of the stream on account of eels being plentiful there. Then, as to the legend of the Maori that a large bird inhabited the region and carried away some of their number, there may be truth in the Maori beliefs, as no doubt the moa existed in the locality' many years ago. Lindsay Buick, in his book on the Moa, mentions that a Moa was seen by a survey party in the upper Waiau as late as 1877. Unquestionably the gorge was used as a thoroughfare from one side of the ranges to the other, and doubtless many fights occurred between the tribes, and after every fight the usual cannibal feast was enjoyed by the victors.