OVERLAND TO MARTIN'S BAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1581, 4 March 1882, Page 13

OVERLAND TO MARTIN'S BAY.

(from our special reporter.)

The history of Martin's Bay settlement is one of disaster and mismanagement, and of so recent a date that it is both uncongenial and superfluous to recount the bunglings and mistakes which led to one of the greatest abortions which the Provincial Government of Otago over attempted. It will be sufficient to keep in view the lessons taught by the failure as a guide for the future how not to do things. Jamestown de facto has disappeared, and exists only on the survey maps of the South Islandr-the number of settlers has dwindled down to three families ; and the miners of Big Bay are represented by a solitary specimen, enjoying the soubriquet of Maori BilL out who is a native of the Green Isle. Maori Bill, who is of Herculean build and strength, haß been a resident in these parts for upwards of 20 years, and has contracted a monomania of a very acute type. His dress consists of a sealskin, girt round his sinewy loins by a flax rope. He uupports himself by seal-hunting and goldmining, and if a stray adventurous stranger pitches his camp within a mile or two of Maori Bill's whare he retires 10 or 16 miles either up or down the coast. Of the settlers Mr Robertson, who was amongst the first to Bettle at Martin's Bay, lay, at the time of our visit, upon his deathbed, having been bedridden for more than nine months, suffering from a slow consumption. During all this time he refused to see a doctor or allow anything to be done to him on account of his sickness. Mrs Robertson and their grown-up family, as well as the neighbours, did ■■ all they could to alleviate the sufferings of the patient, and though occasionally he took such remedies as were to hand, he would none of their advice. Such is the effect of long years of isolation upon the so-called lords of creation. The folly of inducing people with limited means to settle on land densely timbered with a heavy primeval forest,- rendered impenetrable by undergrowth, as was the case at Martin's Bay, very soon became manifest, and the collapse, when it- came, drew down with it the more substantial and enterprising. There is still the complete plant of a sawmill lying on the beach, having never been removed since its delivery by the steamer. This incident tells a tale of its own. It is quite plain that agriculture will not be the means of establishing a prosperous settlement at Martin's Bay ; it will not, even for many years to come, form an aid. Martin's Bay will have to depend upon its natural resources for development. Amongst these, timber and minerals are at once the most abundant and most evident attractions ; but before either can be made profitable, means of communication must be established.. It is surprising to note to what extent this has been neglected in the earlier attempts at settlement. The mouth of the Hollyford offers a harbour sufficient for the requirements of the place for many years to come, but is blocked by a single rock, to remove which no attempt has been made. Were this rock removed vessels drawing up to 20 feet of water could enter Lake M'Kerrow, the head of which extends to a distance of 20 miles inland, thus placing the valuable timber of the Hollyford Valley, and that of the thousands of acres abutting on the lake, within reach of a market. Of the existence of minerals besides gold there are also ample proofs. _ Mr Webb has collected quite a museum of mineral specimens, and as he intends to submit them to professional tests, it would be presumptuous in me to venture an opinion as to their value. Mr Robertson holds a lease over a valuable marble quarry abutting on Lake M'Kerrow, and generally the settlers are alive to the important part minerals play in the welfare of the settlement. Still, prospecting- is carried on only fitfully, and no thorough overhaul of the country is practicable until passable packtracks are constructed. The General Government are now constructing a pack-track from Hokitika to the mouth of the Haast River (Marks') on an elaborate scale. The track is cleared of timber 33 feet wide, with a metalled roadway of eight feet in width. The track is intended to open up the whole portion of the West Coast through which it passes, and has already led to important gold discoveries, as well as inducing settlement under the Westland homestead clause. Considering the success which has attended this mode of drawing attention to the wilds of the South Island, it is not too much to expect that upon proper representations being made to the General Government by the Lake County Council, the former may see fit to extend the track, even though in a modified form, as far south as MUford Sound, passing through Jackson's Bay, Big Bay, and Martin's Bay. The track, when constructed, could then be connected by a proper pack-track with the head of Lake Wakatipu either by Hector's Pass (near Lake Gunn), the Greenstone, the Caples, or Lake Harris saddle. Hector's Pass is said to be 1300 feet above sea levol, but would require a considerable detour, while Lake Harris saddle has the advantage of being the most direct route, against which militates its elevation— 4soo feet above sea level. In svll routes mentioned there is no reac eugi-

neering difficulty, and a practicable pack-track could be constructed for a moderate amount. Were the country opened in some suoh manner, Martin's Bay and the magnificent Hollyford Valley would not long remain tho wastes they are. At Mr Webb s settlement we saw some splendid tobacco growing, intended for home consumption. Hops, oats, and wheat are also doing well; while the beeves and milch cows were perfect pictures of bucolic excellence. In the latter consists the chief wealth of the settlers, and if only means of transport were provided there would be no difficulty in finding a profitable market for this kind of produce. Gold-mining also repays the work expended on it, and furnishes the ready-money whereby the settlers supply themselves with groceries and other necessaries on the occasion of the three-monthly visits of the Stella, which makes Lhe tour of the New Zealand Islands in the stated time, supplying lighthouses and isolated settlements on their coasts with the necessaries of life. As a rule, however, the settlers prefer lo order their supplies from Wellington merchants and have them brought on by the Stella.

The settlement received a severe blow by the fatal boat accident about two years ago, by which Messrs Williams and Yell lost their lives, both of whom were most energetic settlers. Unless something be done to connect the settlement with civilisation, there is some danger that the place will totally relapse into its former wilderness. The leasing of the whola of the Hollyford Valley to Messrs Smith and Fotheringham, of 'Dunedin, for £40 per year, may give an impetus to things in these regions, for before they can bring stock on to their run, approaches to it will have to be made. The land in the Hollyford Valley, to judge by the vegetation it produces, must be of very superior quality, and will some day be in high request. At present, of course, it is valueless on account of the density of the timber. Were a passable pack-track constructed from the head of Lake Wakatipu to Martin's Bay it would in a short time become the resort of the tourist and the artist in search of some of the most lovely as well as some of the most stupendous and rugged scenery it is possible to imagine. But as a friendly hint to the latter it may be mentioned that they should not for get to provide themselves with thin silk gloves and mosquito veils, in order to keep profanity out of their pictures, The natural history of the West Coast, as of other parts of New Zealand, is confined to birds ; but of these there is a great variety, nearly all of which abound in number. Both game and singing-birds flutter through the forest in large flocks. Of the former pigeons, ducks, and kakas are most plentiful, while on the hilltops kea« of large size are met with. On the flat land and in the valleys kakapas, kiwis, and woodhens are very generally found. Snowwhite cranes of large size, sage-looking crows, and wiser- visaged owls or moreporks are also to be found fluttering about in numbers in their haunting-places. The singing-birds are represented by large flocks of canaries, much larger than the well-known favourite, and streaked with black; thrushes of large size; tuis, and a trumpeter bird whose name is unknown toj me : and, of course, paroquetß, which, being admirable mimics, reproduce the pleasing notes of the tui with a full, deep voice and variations. The rarest birds comprise the New Zealand kookoo, the bronzewing, various kinds of tomtits, and other species. Mr Webb, amongst other attempts to utilise the natural resources of Martin's Bay, has also turned his attention to feather ornaments, in the manipulation of which he displays considerable skill and taste. If these ornaments were introduced into the Dunedin millinery trade they would create quite a sensation. The flora of this part of the West Coast is very rich in many rare specimens, and an experienced botanist could make a fortune by selecting and introducing several kinds into the trade. Ferns and mosses of all descriptions are found, as well as many new and beautiful orchids. The more utilitarian branch of this specialty is represented by such trees as kauri, meero, rata, reemo, googoo, white pine, red birch, and totara. In several of the rivers eels abound, and Lake Mackerrow is rich in a variety of native fish. Attempts have been made to stock the Hollyford and adjoining streams with trout, and we saw shoals of young fry on several of the shallow beaches of the river. Near the mouth of the Hollyford and alon^ the coast abound the usual varieties of fish indigenous to New Zealand waters.

AH this combines to make a trip to Martin's Bay one of great interest, and any one having the time to spare, and who is not afraid to rough it, must enjoy an outing in the wilds of the West Coast.