THE LAKES IN CHALKY INLET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10289, 21 February 1895, Page 6

THE LAKES IN CHALKY INLET.

(Correspondent of Southland Times.)

Starling away from the hut erected clous to the second great waterfall, which discharges the whole of the surplus waters of the three lakes, and is also fed by many beautiful waterfalls rushing down the mountain sides, hundreds of feet high, a large volume of water is swept through a gorge, which does not exceed a chain in width, and »ny trees or snags which come within the influence of this current are carried over the fall with lightning spaed into Edwardson's Sound. Proceeding up the first lake ths view on either side is very striking for its varied beauty, as the ranges are covered with thick bush which ia eventually lost on tho mountain tops, some 3000 ft in height. A smull channel connects this with the second lake ; this channel is very narrow and dangerous to navigate owing to the large number of dead trees and many boulders just under the surface of the water.

On entering the second lake a charming view is opened out to the spectator. To the right are precipitous mountains, which appear to almost overhang the waters of the lake ;at the foot of these is a growth of bright green mosis, upon which a number of grey duck and teal were feeding. Upon the opposite side the mountains rise some thousands of feet, their sides covered with varied buah until lost to view, and many cascades of water are seort I rushing down the face of these mountains, looking in the bright sunshine like streaks of silver. As we slowly sailed down the centre of this lake one could imagine he were in fairyland, if it had nob been for those constant tormentors, the sandflies, who'd give no peace from daylight till dark in this district. Many tempting beaches are seen on either side, but to land would be to court torture, except a, strong wind is blowing, when the sandflies, let us hope, "are cast into the sea," but unfortunately only to be reproducad in millions. What is wanted on these coasts ia the iatroduction of insectivorous birds. The only fish in the likes are eels, which we found most acceptable after constant feeding upon salt junk and bad potatoes, varied , by &B:Oocasic>nal stew of tough kakapo or kiwi, j

Tho ranges are swarming with the former which mako a moat unearthly booming noiso the whole night long. When camped at tho head of the first lake ono night the kapapos came round our tent in such numbers that wo could got no reat, but next night we took the precaution to h»vo a dog with us, and he did terrible havoc among thorn.

Wo fixed our camp for dome two or three days at the head of tha second lake, to the left of ua being an almost precipitous range of mountains some 3000 ft or 4000 ft high, and covered with rough scrub. Blauy huge blocks of granite must be constantly slipping away from thsss, descending at a fearful pace, as we observed dear tracks m the thick bush with many large trees scattered in all directions and swept into the lake by these slips.

Two of the Hamer party had scaled these mountains, and after passing round Mount Burnett made Fanny Cove, in Dusky Sound. The country they described aB being mostly barren and rugged and all of granite formation, but they came, across several patches of level fertile country, covered with grasses and various flowering shrubs and plants. The view from the higher ranges is most superb, a perfect panorama of beautiful landscape being seen all round.

We thoroughly inspected this second lake, and lauded upon several of the white level beachus, which consist of powdered granite, at the back of which are fino flats of thin bush which could be easily cleared for the erection of an accommodation house if tourists should visit these charming lakes in sufficient numbers to induce auyone to provide such places. The time of our visit was at full moon, and its reflection upon the lake, with the shadows of the high mountains shown in its calm waters, produced a picture of unsurpassed beauty and one not soon forgotten. Not a sound was to be heard with the exception of the shrill call of the kiwi, the hoarse boom of the kakapo, and quaint call of the rnorepork. Next day we started through the bush to lake No. 3, a distance of about a mile and a-half through fairly level country, covered with timber, thick moos, and rare ferns. At the termination of our journey we struck out on a fine level baaoh, and the view which opened out to us was most striking. Facing us were two high mountains, looking like giants in all their rugged features. Between these is a deep gorge covered on either side with verdure as far as the eye could reach, sloping banks of thick bush extending to a great height until it terminates in the barren peaks of the mountains. All around was a scenet'of perfect beauty, and in my opinion this is the most charming lake of the three, as it ia completely land-locked and sheltered in every way.

Beturning the same day, we struck camp and mads for the top end of the first lake, where we remained for the night, starting at daylight; next morning to make our way through the bush to Bdwardson's Sound, opening out into Chalky Inlet, a distance of some six miles. We obtained a good view of the whole of Chalky Inlel; from the ranges we scaled, and then proceeded down, through bog pine, which tore our clothos all to pieces, and picked up the boat, which took us oa to Canaris Sound. This sound is about half-way up Chalky Inlet towards Edwardson's Sound, and is only about seven miles in length. We notica that we are getting once more into the slate country and away from the granite, which is devoid of all traces of valuable minerals, but on our journey up Canaris & recent slip from the ranges exposed some good-looking "wash," and on trying a dish of wash at the top of this sound, in a creek running up to the right, good prospects of gold were obtained, proving that it was well worth properly prospecting. But the sand-fiies here were something fearful, literally swarming upon ua in millions, and after spending a day in torture we beat a retreat towards Southport in' Chalky Inlet. Here we camped and obtained a little peace from our tormentors, but they were still very bad. Gold has been found leading up a creek towards the west and making in the direction of Cuttle Cove.

After visiting the caves at Southport we started on our return to the neck leading from Chalky to Te Whara, and after resting for a few days returned to Cuttle Cove. In this district there are several grand patches of red pine, and if there should bo a demand for this class of timber there is room for several sawmills here. This also, in my opinion, will prove the future great reefing district of this goldfield, as "leaders" are to be ssen in all directions, moßt of them carrying gold in the stone. There are also several large reefs in the Te Whara district, also at Southporb. A track from Cuttle Cove right through to Southport I feel will eventually open up a good goldfield.