THE GOLD COAST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7499, 30 June 1903, Page 4

THE GOLD COAST.

The New Zealand Survey Party.

The Gold Coast (Wost Africa) whero a New Zealand party is carrying on operations under the authority of tho Imperial Government is apparently not the nialaria-sti'ickui country that sonic writers have pictured it. This, at least, is the impression formed after reading a letter received in Napier from ono of the party by to day's mail. As several New Zealand minors intend proceeding shortly to the Gold Coast, under engagement to mining syndicates, the followitg extract is rather interesting : —

" The mines aro all in a stato of gradual development at present, but half a dozen or so around Tarkwa (The largest inland town and tho headquarters of the Gold Coast Survey Department) expect to bo in full swing by Christmas. Several of tho mines havo been crushing in the Ashanti district for some time. It is difficult to mako head or tail of what some of these companies aro up to. Of courso tho difficulty of transport has held a lot of them back in past years, but it will not be long now beforo the railway will convey the lovely golden bars for shipment at Sckondi (now the most important town along the Coast). " This country is all of rocky formation, and undoubtedly is gold-bearing.

" The natives nro too lazy to exert themselves much at mining work, though they will receive a gentle shock when they rind syndicates importing coolies and Chinamen. Tho whito man here is regarded as a little king by the niggers, who dcclarothat' God has given him too much, and that ho is too clever.'

" There has been a fair amount of sickness this year, principally sunstroke. Up to tho present, however, tho new Zealanders have stood the climate very well, and, as far as I can see, under tho same conditions that are now prevailing, thero is no reason why anyono should not bo able to stand the climate. No doubt tho enormous amount of tinned food consumed hero has a lot to do with breaking down one's health, and eight months of it is a long stretch. You havo only to mention ' colonial goose' or New Zealand beef to make ono homesick.

" The bush here is luxuriously adapted for the homo of a naturalist. It is one mass of curious insects, butterflies, plants, orchids, etc. The wild animals comprise crocodiles, tortoise, leopards, snakes, deer and monkeys. Further north we used to hear lions and tigers roaring at night time; but tho New Zealanders were never troubled by them. Pineapples, bananas, cocoa nuts, oranges and limes grow ip abundance. The climate is generally much about the same—very seldom any sudden changes. Tho temperature varies from about 88deg. to iWdeg., Fahr,, although it has been up to lOOdog, once or twice. Ants swarm here by the billion, and it is nothing uncommon to wake up in the morning and find a drove of ants travelling through one's tent." From May to September tho New Zealanders will be the guests of the Imperial Government, at the Salisbury Hotel, Fleet-street, London.