THE Otago Witness.

Otago Witness, Issue 620, 16 October 1863, Page 4

THE Otago Witness.

DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16.

The successful opening of a route to the West Coast, accomplished by Dr. Hector, i 9 undoubtedly one of the most interesting circumstances of the time. Ever since the colonisaof the Middle Island, the West Coast has been a subject of interest. A number of circumstances combined to invest the terra incognita of the West with attraction. The very vagueness of the knowledge of its geographical peculiarities, the presumed existence on the Western seaboard of metaliferous deposits, and the possibility ot discovering the various birds, which were at any rate extinct in the known portions of the Island, all offered attractions to the scientific man. The earlier explorations were undertaken more with a view of ascertaining the nature and peculiar features of the western country, than for any practical purpose. But the steady advance of the settlements on the eastern seaboard, and the gradual absorption of the lands of the interior by the agricuturist, and the woolgrower speedily gave a more practical direction to the researches of explorers, and the discovery of fresh areas of land suitable for setttlement or for pastoral purposes became the great desideratum. Later on, the partial investigations which were made on the western coasts of Nelson and Canterbury revealed the existence of valuable coal seame, and indications of the presence of gold were discovered at various points, chiefly on the Nelson coast. But it is within the last two years that the exploration of the whole coast line became a subject of immediate interest to the various Provinces. The rapid spread of the gold fields of Otago towards the West, and the great richness of the gold bearing streams in that direction, created the impres-

sion in the mind 9of the miners that in the

vast range of snow-clad mountains, which extends as a barrier from North to South, would |be found the greatest deposits of the precious metal. These anticipations were based upon nothing more substantial than the visionary hopes of the miners ; the " wish was father to the thought," and it was generally accepted that, in the unexplored and rugged country, nature had hidden her most precious treasures. Westward, ho ! became the watchword, and bands of adventurous men spread themselves in various directions to find the highway which should conduct them to the golden harvest. In the face of difficulties, the most immense ; in a cocntry inhospitable and bleak ; through the trackless intricacies of forests primeval ; over rapid and dangerous torrents ; amid the dangers of the precipice and the avalanche, the gallant men, some alone, some in. twos and threes, pursued their quest. We have read the account of these explorations ; we have admired the courage, energy, and indomitable perseverance, which these scattered parties have exerted in the cause of discovery, and we have had to chronicle repeated failures. Some have, at the risk of life and limb, at great cost ami immense fatigue, pushed through to the coa3t, or within view of the blue waters of the Pacific, but their triumphs were barren, so far as their practical value was concerned, but not barren of laurels nobly and bravely won ; and valuable, as adding to our geographical and scientific knowledge of this interesting portion of the Province.

The problem, in the solution of 'which so many efTortgJliavr teen mae'e in vain, has at last 'beerTsoI ved. A natural pathway through the mountain barrier has been discovered. Not a pathway over rugged mountains, across precipices and over glaciers, but a highway at once available for the use of man. To Dr. Hector belongs the honor of having been the first to practically trace out this route, the first tocoanect the eastern and western seaboards of this Province. But Dr. Hector was not the first to traverse the river and lake which are entered from tbe sea, and in the valley of which an easy route to the Wakatip exists. Dr. Hector in his speech the other evening generously disclaimed the priority of discovery, although he had, until his return to Dunedin, been ignorant of the accounts of Caples, Alabaster, and others, in whose footsteps, for a portion at least of the distance, Dr. Hector undoubtedly followed. In considering Dr. Hector's expedition, it must be borne in mind that it was not undertaken specially for the purpose of exploration. The labors of Dr. Hector were chiefly directed to the geological survey of the country ; and hia geographical discoveries may be said to have been accidental accessories of his expedition. It would be premature, in the absence of Dr, Hector's report, to express any decided opinion as to the immediate value of the discovery of the western route. If a good safe port can be connected with the route, it is easy to predict what the result will be — the founding of a commercial city the most favorably situated in respect to distance from Australia of any portion of New Zealand. At present the solution of the great geographical problem of Otago is the most interesting and important result of Dr. Hector's researches. For the geological peculiarities of the country, we must wait for the details in his report, meanwhile we may state that Dr. Hector is uot of opinion that any considerable portion of the Western District is auriferous. Our readers will find interesting particulars on this and cognate subjects in Dr. Hector's speech, reported in another column.