INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 310, 9 January 1868, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS.

The cutter Lapwing returned to Dunedin recently from Preservation Inlet. She has brought six or eight tons of coal, as a sample of a seam discovered, not at Giilche's Head, where the party was first at work, but on the mainland, near the southern branch of the Inlet. The seam is said to be of equal thickness with that found at Quiche's Head, and, had the weather permitted, a larger quantity might have easily been brought away, as a test of its qualities. In removing some shingle near the seam, several specks of gold were obtained, and at some of the beaches at other parts of the Inlet, the " color was found. Mr Hutcheson and the pnrfcy of miners have returned by the Lapwing. Mr Coates had previously returned by the steamer Geelong. From the Uaivke's Bay Herald of the 17th we learn the following account of Dr Hector's visit to Taupo : — "lntelligence has been received of Dr Hector, who has made an exploration of the Taupo country, visiting the south side of the lake, or what is called the Hauhau country, and has been generally well received by the natives. One old Maori threatened to kill him, but he was laughed at by the others, and his threats disregarded. Dr Hector has visited the Kaimanawa Range and Patea, having returned from the latter place to Wellington by way of Rangitikei. Dr Hector experienced very severe weather — heavy rain and snow up to the beginning of December. We may look forward to an interesting report from our New Zealand geologist, who braves the weather and the Hawhaus with equal determination in following up his scientific researches." We learn, says the Thnam Herald, of Saturday last, that a project is on foot for the ascent of Mount Cook in the autumn. Two experienced mountaineers, one of whom was, we believe, a member of the Alpine Club, propose to ascend this magniticent mountain. The exact time has not yet been fixed, but we should say that the ascent will be attempted about the latter end of March or the early part of April. Nearly all the set'lers in the Mackenzie country agree that the time we have mentioned is by far the best for the purpose, for the weather is generally very settled at that period, and a heavy snow storm on the mountain has never been known to occur then. At the present time, although the mountain is freer from snow than in the autumn, it is liable at any moment to have a fresh covering of many feet in thickness, as south-west winds are more prevalent. We hope that the present project will not fall through like all former ones have done, but that the stupendous masses composing what is known as the first spur — more than half way up the mountain — will be reached this autumn. From our knowledge of Mount Cook, and from what we can learn from the best authorities, it is doubtful whether the ascent will be accomplished iv one season— even by the most experienced Alpme travellers. But the attempt may be made, and marks left, and a route selected, so that another year there Avould be no loss of time in travelling up the lower portion of the mountain.