MARTIN'S BAY.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 697, 13 August 1870, Page 2

MARTIN'S BAY.

A correspondent of the " Southland Times," writing under date July Bth, gives the following particulars respecting Martin's Bay aud the West Coast track from the Lake district:— The la: est accounts are that the Saddle has become impracticable. Parties, who returned to Queenstown having been unable to proceed, state that the snow on the Saddle is impassable. This same Saddle extends a distance of three miles, and although for the most part exposed ground, it j has somo awkward cavities into which it would be dangerous for a man with a swag on his back to stumble during the time snow is on the ground, fi is to be regrottod that the energy with which the track was begun ha* not boon maintained. The first damper was a reduction of the men'» wages, and the second a reduction of tho number employed. During the early part of tho work, 10s was paii and now thoy aro asked to work for 7* and Ba, and even at that rate, instead of forty men only somo fifteen are en- j gaged. The whole transaction smacta of James Macandrew and his responsible ndvisors. If thoy can manage to keep up tho stoam ol a cheap pop*

larity against February next, that's ill that's wanted. You have no doubt heard of Fox's expedition to Martin's Bay. It was a failure ; but the question is, did it fail for lack of gold or lack of energy ? Fox did make a run jverjthe Saddle; at the same time, it is i well-known fact that he never went Sown the Hollyford as far as the Bay, and those who have travelled the same route affirm that he has left no indications of a prospector behind him. The real truth is that his prospecting tour is not to be relied upon, either as |h evidence or otherwise of the existence of gold throughout the district. For some time past it has been attracting a good many parties to the district. A. couple of weeks ago the streets of Queenstown were perfectly thronged with strangers, at least parties returned to the district. Since then they have got drafted off into their various pursuits, still it is understood that they are simply putting in the time until the snow breaks up, when Martin's Bay, and that vicinity, will become their destination. In all probability there will be a rush of some description or the other to the bay, when the spring sets in. Whether gold is found or not, the opening up of the district will be of some consequence. It will bring the West Coast goldfields of Canterbury and those of Otago into closer communication. Already overtures have been made to owners of the Lake steamer Antrim to run direct communication from [Hokitika, via Martin's and the Wakajtipu, to Dunedin. This is one view of [the matter which ought not to be disparaged.