THE WEST COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Issue 15, 17 December 1863, Page 4

THE WEST COAST.

To the Editor of the Telegrayh. Sir, —On the eve of leaving the Province, I am desirous that the public should be put in possession of facts and dates relative to the discoveries made by private enterprise, and afterwards by Dr. Hector. This gentleman knew when he left Dunedin, 011 his first trip, that 1 had discovered a practicable routo to the West Coast, through the north of Otago Province : notwithstanding that he failed twice in reaching the goal of his ambition, he stated at the Dinner, that, the " difficulties had beeen over-rated by those who proceeded him." If there is 110 diliiculty, how conieß it that he was so frequently batlled? Subsequently to my discoveries, several other gentlemen appear to have embarked on the sarue enterprise, anil met the success they merited. As near as I can make out, cacli exploration was cfl'ectcd at the date as follows :— October 180- ... Charles Cameron January 1863 ... Symms & Sutclill'o May 18(13 ... Caples P. August 18(>3 ... Captain Alabaster September 18(18 ... Dr. Hector. I made an oiler to the Provincial Government of Otago, as eal'ly as the Ist of November, 1562, to disclose the southern routo for one thousand pounds; Messrs. Symms and Sutcliil'e proposed the same thing on their return ; Mr. Caples appears as the first who communicated his information without stipulating for reward, knowing no doubt that all pecuniary remuneration lmd been refused to the others who had preceded him. Captain Alabaster, who succeeds Caples, cfl'eeted liis journey from the West Coast. He also made a full diselosuao to the public in the same unconditional manner as Caples. I am at a loss to know how it is that the Otagoau press gives Dr. Hector cridit for being the discoverer, after that gentleman has modestly acknowledged that "he was not the pioneer." It matters not though he tries to detract from the merit of those who were, by saying, " a hundred different diggers had preceded him," a statement which I must crave liberty to contradict.

What astonishes me, is, that after so much has been claimed to have been effected by eo many different people, the darkness aud want of information that prevails regarding theso mountain regions. Between the passage from the W.N.W. end of the Wakalipu Lake and the other pass via the Maknrora and Awarora rivers, a banner of lofty mountains for a hundred miles intervenes. I discovered the Northern route through Canterbury in January, 1803, being iu advance of Dr. Haast. Tliis gentleman was startled by meeting my horse near the head of the Awarora Rivor, a West Coast water-Bhed. He has omitted mention of this incident in the narrative of his travels ; yet he ought to have reflected that if he committed an injustice, that the old horse, like Casar's ghost, " might meet Brutus at Philippi."

No credit having as yet been conceded to private explorers in connection with the discovery ot these routes, and from the various reports currcnt, it appears to be expected that other practical parses will be found through the Middle Island mountain chain,

(Captain Cook's Southern Alps) however bold the assertion may appear, I wish to inform jour readers, that there are only two great breaks through which the stupendous wall of mountains can bo passed ; and any attempt to reach the West Coast, except through them, would be attended, even if successful, with dangers and privations to which the strongest constitution and most, intrepid heart might be obliged to succumb. The two routes, the discovery of which I claim, arc available throughout the year; and, when roads arc open through them, by enabling Australian eattle ships to land their freights with certainty and expedition, will confer incalculable advantages on the population of the Middle Island, reducing the price of 0110 of the necessaries of life, and enabling our runliolders to stock their pastures more cheaply than tliey could otherwise do, where the passage is attended with the delays and hazards attached to navigation of Foveaux Straits. As perhas this is the last occasion on which I may trouble you, I would omit an act of justice did I not acknowledge tlio deep obligation I owe to Robert Wilkins, Esq., M.H.A., a runholder, and Mr. Hill, the truly enterprising saw-mill owner, on the Hawea Lake. I remain, your obedient servant, CIIAS. CAJIEKON*. Dunstan, Oct. 30th, ISC3.