THE WEST COAST AS A FIELD FOR ENTERPRISE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE WEST COAST AS A FIELD FOR ENTERPRISE.

INTERVIEW WITH THE MILFORD SOUND HERMIT.

[ During an interview with Mr D. Sutherland, of Milford Sound, a member of our staff obtained some information bearing upon the natural resources of the West Coast Sounds which might be of interest to our readers. Mr Sutherland has been on the West Coast almost , continuously during the last dozen years or so, and knows all of the sounds and intervening coast as well as anyone; and being a shrewd observer, is therefore qualified to give an opinion. Referring to Milford Sound more particularly, he holds a very high opinion of that locality and the adjacent country as a field for enterprise. Speaking of the great Sutherland Falls, ha states that there is a good track from the sound to the falls ; the roots and stumps have been grubbed out and the rougher parts levelled down, so that there is now a good horse track from the upper landing, above Lake Ada, to the falls ; but some of the bush should be cleared off alongside the track, as where it is dense it obstructs the view and does not permit tourists to see the scenery to advantage. To further encourage the tourist traffic, which must yearly increase, some provision will have to be made to accommodate tourists at Milford Sound and afc the falls. Mr Sutherland states that a good many of the tourists who visited the sound last season regretted that they could not spend a month there ; which they would have done had there been any accommodation house in the locality. In this there is a good opening for some enterprising person. An accommodation house near the Sutherland Falls would also be certain of patronage ; and now that the track is improved pack horses could be used above Lake Ada. As the Union Company's steamers call at the sound regularly, the tourist season would be lengthened out were there comfortable accommodation available. As to the climate of the West Coast, erroneous views are held by those who have only paid a visit to the sounds. Most people carry away the idea that the winters must be very severe. As a matter of fact, the climate is very much milder than that ruling on the East Coast. A warm Australian current strikes the West Coast and has about the same influence that the Gulf Stream has upon the British Isles. Last winter was particularly mild, and less snow fell than during any winter for the past 13 years. The barometer stood higher and the thermometer lower than ever recorded before during the same period of time. Previous to last winter he never saw the thermometer below 32deg, but for a short time there were severe frosts, and then the mercury fell to 28deg. The dry season holds from the New Year to the end of July, or even later ; then the wet season sets in. All, the rains are warm, and come from points between N.E. and N. W. Westerly winds are generally accompanied by snow and cold hail showers, while the finest weather comes with south-west winds. As the scenery of Milford Sound and surrounding country is by far the grandest, the first effort of the Government; should be directed towards opening that up thoroughly. One American traveller, who bad made the tour of the world, and who was quite familiar with the scenery of the Rocky Mountains, the Yosetnifce, and Switzerland, averred that Mount Balloon surpassed Mont Blanc in grandeur, and that the scenery of the Milford country stood unrivalled. He was so enchanted with Mount Balloon that he sat on a log to watch the sunlight fade from its illumined crown till darkness shut out the view, and declared that it was the finest sight he had ever aeen. The general aspect of the country tho same gentleman compared to that of the Yosemite Valley in California. With regard to the reported discovery of a practicable route from Lake Wakatipu to Milford Sound by way of the Cleddau Valley, Mr Sutherland stated that he had thoroughly explored that avenue on the Milford side, and found that it was quite impracticable to surmount the bold, precipitous mountain sides, rising sheer up to the height of at least 2000 ft. Towards opening up the best of the Milford scenery, tracks should be cut up the Cleddau Valley, from Harrison Cove to the foot of Mount Pembroke, and up Bindbad Valley. These tracks would not coafc much, and would open up some of the prettiest scenery. Our reporter next asked Mr Sutherland what he thought of the sounds as a probable source of fish supply for the Australian markets. Mr Sutherland : All of our most important fishes can be caught in the sounds and off the coast almost anywhere all the year round ; but in the meantime Milford Sound possesses many advantages. For one thing steamers call there, and by them fish could be sent direct to Melbourne. Immense shoals of mullet and herrings visit the sound repeatedly. The shoals are more frequent during the summer months, but they are often seen in winter. These shoals are often followed by shoals of barracouta. Any of these fish could be taken in large quantities with suitable nets. The largest mullet attain a size of l§lb weight. They are most plentiful between the months of October and February. There are often large shoaJs of mackerel. Deep water fish are represented by blue cod, trumpeter, mold, groper, and tarakibi. A fishing company in Milford Sound could send a steady supply of both cured and fresh fish to the Melbourne market, and the enterprise is one well worth embarking in Reporter : Relating to the sounds generally, what other resources have they ? Mr Sutherland : Well, there is timber. In many localities there are nice belts of timber, both birch and pine that might be utilised. But perhaps the most important resources of the sounds will be found in the minerals which will yet be discovered. The indications of tin are numerous over the whole granitic belt from Dusky to Milford Sound, From a gentleman who found a specimen in the Cleddau Valley, and had it tested in Dunedin, I learned that it was a good sample of tin ore. From an examination of the ores in the New South Wales collection at the exhibition, I am confident that similar ores occur in different localities on the West Coast. It will be my first object, on my return, to re-visit these localities to procure samples. lam certain that tin is abundant on the West Coast. The indications of copper are also very good, and iron is plentiful. Reporter: Do you know anything of the country in which gold has been recently discovered at Preservation Inlet ? Mr Sutherland : Years ago gold was found in several placen on the mainland from Preservation to Chalky. Odd parties found a little gold, but it was not followed up. All of the gold found was very rough. The boundary between the slate and granite lies between Chalky and Dusky, and over the slate country gold undoubtedly occurs. The granite belt is then almost continuous to Milford Sound, with breaks here and there. The auriferous belt of country is well worth prospecting, aud probably a good gold field will be discovered. Reporter : What effect has the close season had upon seals ? Mr Sutherland : The close season was certainly necesbary, as tho seals were being thinned considerably ; but they are now quite as plentiful

as they were years ago. The seals are constant residents on the coast. The young appear in December and January, and it is the one-year-old males that are the most valuable for their fur. The old males are generally scarred too much from their frequent rattles. On the whole the seals are less plentiful than they were 15 years ago ; but under proper restriction sealing might be permitted now.