A PROSPECTING TOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20290, 24 December 1927, Page 10

A PROSPECTING TOUR.

WESTERN OTAGO’S MINERALS. A TRYING EXPERIENCE. (Special to Dailt Times.) INVERCARGILL, December John Gray and a man named Deane, both of Riverton, who were on a pros peeling tour in the vicinity of Gates, near Preservation Inlet, have returned overland after a very trying experience, which very nearly ended fatally. The difficulty in crossing the rivers where the cages were out of repair compelled them to make long detours into the bush, which added greatly to the distance travelled. It was Mr Gray’s knowledge of the country and Deane’s splendid endurance that saved them from death. They reached Port Craig, and were kindly treated. When some distance on the track Gray found a box with a message from Heffernan, the prospector, who was missing from Preservation Inlet. The message stated that he was exhausted and unable to travel further, and that it would b € his last day. The message was dated July. Heffernan was a prospector from Glenorchy. He left last Juno, but has not been heard of since.

Messrs Gray and Deane several weeks ago decided to go on a prospecting tear of the West Coast Sounds, and nroceeded by boat to Gates. They had made arrangements for a supply of fond, but unfortunately this was landed after they had commenced the return journey. It was their intention to make a base at Gates and prospect the intervening country between Preservation Inlet and the Wairaurauhiri Mr Gray had traversed the country before, and the nrospects then obtained were very satisfactory, samples of tin, copper, and mica being obtained. Notwithstanding the hardships endured it is Mr Gray's intention further to nrospect the country lying to the west.

One of the favourite flowers of th< Royal Family is the carnation. Both the Queen and Princess Mary prefer the pink carnation “ Laddie.” probably because it harmonises so well with their fair, clear complexions, and their favourite shades of grey and blue. The King always we.- : a white blossom in his buttonhole, a 1 1 “ White Pearl ” is his favourite. The Prince of Wales set the fashion for claretcoloured carnations with evening dress by always wearing the “ Topsy ” shade, which is a lovelv win- colour. The Duchess of York prefers the one named after her, the official description of which is “salmon overlaid cerise.”