Chalky Inlet

Southland Times, Issue 13060, 7 November 1894, Page 3

Chalky Inlet

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—ln your issue of Friday last there appeared a letter from me relative to the supposed geographical and geological discoveries made by Hamer and party, who have obtained Government assistance on representations made by them. . You attempt through a foot-note to place discredit on the statements contained in my letter and say •* It is strange that the association or the individual members of it have not challenged the authenticity of the alleged discoveries of Hamer’s party, which were referred to at length in these columns aoout five weeks back.” In reply to this I may state that it is only a fortnight since the association were apprised by Hamer and party of their intention to ask for assistance. They at that time requested the association to recommend their proposed application for a subsidy to the favourable consideration of the Government, but the association were not given an opportunity to reply owing to the steamer having only visited Wilsons River once since, and then only staying for a few hours. As regards the river and lakes supposed to have been recently discovered by the party all that is necessary for you to do to prove the authenticity of what I say is to refer to a number of your paper of about a year ago, and there you will see it stated in your correspondent’s notes that G. Smith and party carried a young man for several miles along the same river he having been in a feeble state. Concerning the lakes, they have been known for over five years and about four years ago a boat was placed on one of them by a number of miners, has since been used on several occasions by prospectors, and is there yet. I may mention that the association had abandoned prospecting in that portion of the country to which the party have been sent and have turned their attention to other parts and have made application to the Government ' for aid in carrying on operations there as the country referred to has been proved to be aurifeious. —I am, &c.. Preservation Miner. Invercargill, |3rd Nov,