JOURNEY FROM THAMES TO COROMANDEL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1112, 9 March 1871, Page 2

JOURNEY FROM THAMES TO COROMANDEL.

Messrs C. F. Mitchell and John Wilson have just finished a journey from Tararu to Coromandeel by the swagtrack now being cut. The Thames Evening Star reports the difficulties encountered, and says:—"We have been requested to cau-tion miners not to go through, as the track is dangerous, even where blazed, to any but good bushmen ; is impracticable with a swag of any weight ; and cannot be travelled even with great fatigue, at the rate of more than a mile an hour. It is believed that parts of the route, have never before been traversed by either Maori or European, as Mr Mitchell gives it as his opmioii^tbat no one of the plans examined by him shows the true track on the main range, as now blazed. At one point along the track, n mass of syenite, " The Camel's Back," rises between 200 ft. and 300 ft. above the traveller as he passes along the track, which is about the breadth of a man's hand ; while below, putting a little scrub out of the question, it would not be difficult to fall a distance of 1,500 ft. The country does not show, taking its surface indications so far as mighb be seen along" so narrow a track, the rich quartz reported. At the head of the Puru there is very good-looking but entirely flinty quartz that Mr Mitchell and his mate had no means of testing. The other stone to be had upon surface all looked poor and hungry. There is a possibility of washdirt at one point, and almost a certainty of good'kauri gum.'diggings at others. Until, however, the track is cut, it would be mere folly to induce men to enter the country ;. and, looking' to the state of the weather, it may be some time before that can be realised, as work in the bush is now, and has been for some days, out of the question."