THROUGH THE WANGAPEKA WITH A GEOLOGIST.

Colonist, Volume XXXI, Issue 5204, 4 May 1888, Page 3

THROUGH THE WANGAPEKA WITH A GEOLOGIST.

(Continued). Hurrying down to our camp befora the storm, we began to doubt whether we had done well in erecting our tent at "the Saddle, for it was very evident that if the thunder clouds rolled up to the Karamea, as we had seen them at the Crow Saddle, we should hate an. electrical discharge about our very ears that might prove more startling than agreeable, We began to picture scenes of the most weird anil awful description, and to wonder whether we were to experience something more dreadful than was ever represented in the Wojf's Glen at the easting of the magio bullets for Der Freisohuta. On reaching the camp, however, we found that the storm and rain weee passing along the peaks where we had been, and the sun shovring out again we had still a little more time to look about us The remainder of our stay in this locality was devoted to examining the valleys near at hand. We dropped down to the Karamea, but as little could be done there, we did not follow the valley down. In the Wangapoka, however, there was much to claim attention. I have already alluded to tha coal rocks and general formation of tbs country, In some bluffs of aphanite slate we observed the glazed surfaces of the slickensidesj which are believed to be formed by the friction of rocks forced from their otiginal position by a power which we can only imagine by comparisons. The grinding together of huge rocks of oourse generates heat, perhaps such heat as one could scarcely imagine, but of which the slag-like appearance of the slikenside surface gives some idea. Where this friotion has taken place most potent gasses may well be formed, and where the superincumbent mass and hardness of the rocks prevents their escape they may long remain pent up giants, ready to blast and desolate all within their rang«-should the means of thoir escape be provided. It is to such force that many a mining accident .has been attributed, but I believe sliokensides have received mere study from German scientists than English ones. A little below the saddle there is 'plenty in the Wangapeka to interest the botanist, and we noticed a variety of plaats and shrubs. Here the Nei-nei and several of tha rarer kinds of shrubs or small trees are nmneroas, and the more oomraon aralia grows to perfection, bat we noticed on the leaves of one of these a scaly blight which could not have spread from any adjacent garden, for the simple reason that the nearest is many miles away. * NEIGHBORS. ' . On returning at sundown from one of theie excursions we found that*wo had neighbors and we soon made the acquaintance of two hardy prospectors, who had walked up to the saddle, carrying besides their tent, dishes, shtyels, <feo. " tucker" to last them about a fortnight. They informed us that they wanted to have a look at the M.kihinui, and (hen if they were not satisfied to make their way to yards the Left Hand Branch of the Wangapeka. We x.ere very glad to tell them something as to tho lay of the country, and after tea we all'sat round the camp fire and | Heard many storied of digging. life, its vicissitudes, dangera, difficulties, and privations. One of our friends had been a prospector on the Owen in its earliest day's, and he still owned some interest in certain of the mines there. Thia man told us how, after lie had. pitohed up one claim disheartened, another digger came along and got more out of it than he had . mftde for many weeks. In reply to an enquiry as to his idoas of the alluvial working of the Owen, he told as a oharaoteristio story of a man who was digging there at the same time our friend was. He said that in answer t j the question ha put to this ma,n, ''How are you getting on to-day, Bill ? " Bill's "reply was "'Oh, just the same' eight pennyweights. Its eight -pennyweights from a big paddock and'its eight; pennyweights from a little one—its all the same." Onr friend had evidently aot formed a very hopefnl opinion of the Owen, and h* ana Wi m»t« w«e on the look out (or some;

thing better. Next morning they were to leave their tent where it stbdd with a stippl" of flour arid' other provieiong so that tb,/ need only tako necessaries for four or five id: tramping down the Mokihinui, and for te<>" ing the ground as they went. Brought thus face to face with tbe brave, adventurous gold seeker one conceives an even greater respect for hitfi tfctaii irortt merely oonteoi£lating«him from a 'distance, or meeting him when he. visits to^rn. Hera w.e have experienced just a taste of his Hardshtpa; but through him our way has to a great extent Beeti made lighi, Without Jum what would be. known of the interior of this-part of the Colony, for it has been he who has payed the way for settlement, and he is still carrying settlement back showing where homes may be made, and at the same time helping the settlerby'buying his,produce; The benefit thefo men nave tforiferredl upon the whole country {3 incalculable, tut their labors are seldom recognised as they should be; and they'too often end the year no wealthier than, when they commenoed.it, though others may have been enriched by their labors. In the breasts of these men hope is so firmly im-pmntc-u' tuat reverses setrai to affect ihem but little, and week after week they toil a? few men toil, and without comfort, often even yvi'hout a companion, and compelled to subsist on the least amount of food, and that of the-hardest description. Those who know' what their lives are, what good they' do, will certainly joia in the sentiment-more power to the prospectors. Next morning we, as well as our neighbors, were up betimes, for cur packhorae had arrived and we wore about to shift camp, As we had finished loading the horse and stood ready -to descend the Wangapeka, the diggers were starting on their prospecting journey, and having gripped hands we parted, and, if wishes avail anything, our friends have mat with the luck they deserve. To he contbmA. -