DEPUTATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 6845, 30 March 1883, Page 2

DEPUTATION.

ROAD TO TERAWHITI. A numerous deputation of Wellington citizens waited on the Minister of Lands at noon yesterday, to urge the importance of constructing a practicable road to Terawbiti, in order to develop the gold-mining industry. There were present—His Worship the Mayor, Messrs D. T. Stuart, W. F, Parsons, W. McLean, J. Chantrey Harris, S. Miller, T. K. Macdonald, J. Plimmer, C. Stafford, R. Greenfield, F. Dowsett, W. E. S. Hickson, S. Levy, J. Madden, Bennett, Redstone, J. Kirton, H. Mace, and L. Davies. Mr J. C. Harris said it was a serious expedition to reach the goldfield at Terawhiti either on horseback or on foot, and having described his own recent experience in visiting the the field, urged that the importance of Terawhiti as a gold mining district is now sufficiently recognised to justify the Government in Expending a reasonable sum in making a practicable road. Many of those who invested money in the mines already opened had done so primarily for the benefit of Wellington by developing a goldfield so near to the city ; and the more accessible the field is made by constructing a road, the more capital is likely to be invested for the thorough development of the various mineral resources of Terawhiti. Mr McLean said there are 13 companies interested in gold mines at Terawhiti, with a total registered capital of £175,000, and these have actually spent up to date nearly £17,000 in developing their mines and erecting machinery. If a road were made, they might find that other parts of Terawhiti would prove auriferous.

Mr Harris said that a considerable area of Terawhiti district had been proved to'contain gold ; but the want of a road retards the development. He said gold-bearing strata may be traced all through the Makara district up to Wellington reservoir, and a road will aid the thorough testing of these indications. Mr Macdonald said the public are hesitating to invest more money in this goldfield until the district is made accessible by roads, and until it thereby receives, as it were, the Government stamp as a goldfield. Mr Davies urged that the prospects of Keefton ‘l.e early day* webe not SO good as those o ' ’ c i i.

The Hon. .'ir Rolleston said, in reply, that he had satisfied himself seme time ago as to the bona fides of the goldmining operations at Terawhiti, and had been much pleased with what he then saw. There bad been no crushing on the ground up to the present; but supposing the result of crushing was to prove this to be a gold field, be believed no other field in the colony had greater facilities for the conveyance of heavy goods, which would be chiefly

by water. Whenever thefield showed that it was going ahead, it would be important to secure jetty accommodation at Ohau Bay and get facilities for shipment. As all the heavy goods traffic would go by sea, the question remains as to what is to be dene for giving greater facilities for foot-passengers and horse traffic. Wheel traffic will never compete with sea traffic for heavy goods in that district. Mr Marchant has surveyed, for the Government, another track from Makara junction, that being a common point for most of ttie tracks ; but other tracks having bean suggested, he was in favor of having them also reported on before deciding. By the time that a crushing of stone has been made on the ground the Government will be in a position to decide as to which of these tracks is preferable for a road. It will be time to proceed with such work when the results of crushing show that it will be justified. Mr Macdonald : A test crushing is expected about the end of May. Mr Rolleston said that if the crushing be at all satisfactory, as he expected, the work will be proceeded with. He further promised, in reference to a suggested track for pack-horses, that Government will not be unwilling to assist in developing the field, if the goldfield promises to be a payable one. The deputation thanked the Minister, and retired.