Mr Larnach's Overland Trip.

Otago Witness, Issue 1797, 30 April 1886, Page 12

Mr Larnach's Overland Trip.

Speaking at Greymouth on the 10th inst. the Hon. Mr Larnach gave the following particulars of his overland journey to the West Coast by way of the Haast pass, as reported in the Greymouth Argus :—: —

As to any difficulties to be met with on the way, he regarded them as interesting epi&odus, because they enabled him to see a country which very few white men had over seen, and enabled him to become thoroughly acquainted with parts of the colony at present inhabited by very few settlers. After leaving the borders of Otago and entering the Haast pass he was agreeably surprised to find that the difficulties portrayed formerly were not difficulties at all. The country was very accessible for a road, and afforded an easy gradient for a railway from Lake Wanaka to Ross. So far as ho could make out by his barometer, the elevation of the Haast pass was only some KiO^ft, and he felt certain that a much easier road could be found. The whole country was splendidly timbered, and in parts of it he observed very rich alluvia] flats well adapted for settlement and capable of carrying a large population. As they went from Wanaka to the mouth of the Haast in two days, it could bo seen that the difficulties of travel were not very great. Either a good road or a good railroad could be curried right up to the mouth of the Haast pass, and without very much trouble from the rivers. The force and volume of the Haast were derived from two other rivers that ran into it about 40 miles from the mouth. The Ivandsborough country was totally unexplored beyond the gorge. At the back of the gorge there is a iine extent of country, as he learned from Mr Mueller, who had explored it. It was also noticeable that when the Haast was in flood it brought down grass tussocks instead of timber, thus showing that it flowed through open country, and very likely composed of rich alluvial soil. In his course northwards he (Mr Larnach) met with a great deal of rich alluvial country. After leaving the Haast they journeyed down to Jackson's Bay, and had to cross four rivers. One river in particular when in flood, as they happened to see it, made about seven rivers instead of only one, and was very dangerous owing to the number of quicksands. But up that river there was rich alluvial soil and finely-limbered land ready for settlement. Around Jackson's Bay lie found the land very suitable for settlement, and there was a good harbour, not equalled by any on the coast. From thence he returned to the Haast and journeyed to Bruce B;it, Gillespie's beach, and so on to Big Wanganui. About there is to be found a very large tract of country fit for settlement. From Gillespie's beach up to Koss he considered tho country fit for settlement could not be less than 50,000 acres of land, quite equal to the Taieri plains. There is about 10,000 acres known as swamp, but a road could be run through it, as it was only covered by low scrub and cabbage tree. All this land consisted of rich alluvial soil, entailing no trouble to clear. Within 25 miles of Ross only about 640 acres of land was taken up ; and tho only reason he could give for such a state of things is that a good dray road is wanted. If roads were made, settlement would surely follow. If settlers in Otago knew of this land it would soon be taken up. The timber is simply wonderful in size, and admirably suited for commerce. That was an important piece of information he had gained. What the country required was assistance in opening up tracks and roads. He found a good many settlers in tho district, but they were scattered at considerable distances apart ; many of them had been settled there for a good number of years, battling against great difficulties. Still they seemed happy and contented, with the exception of one great drawback-— they had no regular communication. The steamer which should call there once every two months is very irregular, and as the settlers ran out of provisions sometimes they had to undergo great hardships. He was glad that he had ascertained these facts, and he would try to have the grievance remedied. Some of the country he saw at Jackson's Bay and up the valley of the Haast no doubt contains mineral wealth that one day, when developed, will astonish New Zealand. The appearance of the. ranges, the character df the rocks, the ran of the

rivers, and Ihe indications afforded generally of minerals showed that wealth of that kind abounds in the country. Having seen the country, or a very large extent of it at any rate, he could not help smiling when he remembered the remarks made by some of his friends in the south decrying the West Coast a.s a drear and sterile land. Had they only been afforded, an opportunity of seeing it for themselves they would have arrived at a very different conclusion. His own opinion was that it is one of the best parts of New Zealand.