THROUGH THE WANGAPEKA WITH A GEOLOGIST.

Colonist, Volume XXXI, Issue 5213, 15 May 1888, Page 3

THROUGH THE WANGAPEKA WITH A GEOLOGIST.

(Continued), Leaving the Kararaea Saddle in the morning, it was late in the afternoon when we reached the junction of the Boiling River, for on the way we bad several stoppages to make in order to gather up specimens previously collected. With no small amount of satisfaction we then pitched our tent on a grassy sunny bank close to the Boiling River, for the cold and damp we had experienced above made us appreciate more thoroughly the getting once more into a region of sunshine. Within a few yards of our camping ground was a mining claim, and to obtain water from the river we had to cross the sluioe boxes; whilst within equal distat.ee in the opposite direction was a imuer's house, with a garden and orchard adjacent. Within reach of our tent the bank was covered with brambles, from which we1 gathered immense black" berries, and the scent from.musk which grew near the river, and from the manuka and other shrubs was exceedingly pleasant after our experiences in the black birch, or rather beech forests. On the night of our" arrival we paid a visit to our neighbor, and spent an hour or. two very pleasantly in his house. From him we learnt that he had been at the Wangapeka some twenty-two years, and at the time of the great excitement at this place he and some mates had a claim close to the still remembered Culliford's. Our neighbor was no more successful in his endeavors to find a payable reef than the rest, and he reverted back to the alluvia!, and still has a claim alongside the river On entering bis garden we saw some apple trees, laden with sound fruit, the trees having grown there from pips, and from this it is evident that alluvial mining at the Wangapeka affords pretty permanent work, even though the recompense may not be very rioh. Oar neighbor, Mr Chandler, showed'us some specimens of galena and silver ore found in the river, and we learnt from him much' regarding the past history of the place. On retiring to our tent we had a good deal to talk over, for the observations of the day

afforded many topics of conversation. Jfor instance, in the coal fossils we had observed leaves identical with some still growing within a few yards of the rocks containing the fossil remains, and this naturally suggested the theory of evolution, which we discussed to our own satisfaction/ Then, too, the many forms in which Bimilar sub* stances arc found, such as silica and carbon, gave rise to the dotibt whether the search for a common base'was as visionary as most people fancy. Tired out at last we wooed the drowsy god, and next morning made a late start for THE VMtitiii ■ . Our present camp was only 900 feet aboya sea level, and from it we ascended a steep hillside to the track leading to the' township of Gladstone, some two and a half miles distant. As we walked we observed three or four alluvial claimg along the river, and we crossed Conor's Creek, on which a solitary miner was at work. Just before reaching-the junction of Granity Creek with the Ko'ling river, we saw an open space before us; ttnd a few moments later came upon a building now occupied by a settler, his wife, and six or seven children. This building was erected at the time of the big rush, and then was the temple of justice known as the Court House. Crossing Graiiity Creek by means of planks, we noticed another building, now considerably dilapidated, and used as a cow shed, but which, from its immense front in comparison to s'vAe, bad apparently been more attractive at one time. From some iron struts whioh had been formed for the support of a lamp, we guessei that this had once" been a publichouse, possibly the leading hotel with some very attractive name, judging from the size ol the sign board. Enquiries elicited th,e faot that we were then standing in High street, Gladstone, but, alas! the principal part of the street was now devoted to growing cabbages. It was a dismal retrospect to look back 18 years or so and picture the faces animated by hope which gathered within that building and around its doer, discussing.quartz specimens that were to bring fortunes to all there congregated hope, which like many another, has been sadly shattered, though who may say that the dreams of former days may not yet be realised. Other abandoned places have ultimately been proved rich fields, and for the Wangapeka there is more room for hope than in many. By all means then let us hope, but we must work .also, or we become mere dreamers. There is no doubt there is plenty of room hero for work—work in exploring and finding out the wealth that is hidden by these hard rooks around, but which these rivers are helping to bring to* light. The river beds here are^ alone a study, and inthem one may find specimens of various rocks and minerals. Granite, limestone, quartz, slates and chert; gold, silver, lead, and garnets from the granite country are all to be found in the river, and the tributaries of the Eoliing river afford scope for many a searcher, whilst there is a reasonable probability of a reward at the end. .GRANITT CREEK. Following up this creek for a distance of about two or three miles from where we have just crossed it by means of a plank, the stream flows through a narrow gorge in the limestone, a gorge so narrow that a man might almost jump across it, anl it is remarkable how the large granite boulders below the gorge, and which evidently came from the granite country further up, could have got through co narrow a place, However, Granity Creek is not the most attractive, and we pass on to BLUE CRSEK. After crossing Granity, a few paces bring one to Blue Creek, which is by far the largest tributary of the Boiling river, and indeed is entitled to be called the main stream. It is perhaps the most important of all the creeks in the viciniiy. This stream flows down from the flanks of Mount Owen, and the country adjacent is in many respeots similar to that on the Owen river, away to the other side of the mountain. It was up this creok that Culliford made his discovery, the excitement caused by which is still fresh in the minds of many. From all I could learn, the quartz found by Culliford showed rich gold in Jhe cap or top of the quartz body, but on driving into the stone it was found that the quartz wedged out below, and that there was little gold below the surface. On speaking to the miners, one learns that their prevailing im* pression is that the real reef had not been found, that the quartz met with had slipped down from a more lofty situation, though from where was a mystery. Evidently this idea will not bold water for a minute. It appears that as the quartz was sunk upon, it was found that its mass dwindled down into mere leaders, and from this it is pretty plain that a hollow onoe existed iv the cherty rocks and that this hollow was gradually filled, up with quartz by filtration, and as has been proved in several cases, the top of the quartz body contained most of the gold. To be continued.