Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand/Chapter 16
WESTLAND INDUSTRIES.
CHAPTER XVI.
N various parts of Westland there are proved to be resources which only require a continuance of the interest now being taken in them, to ensure their development, to create an influx of population, and to firmly establish large industries which should contribute much to the common wealth of the Colony. In the Hokitika and Totara districts, the amount of enterprise which has been displayed in the formation and carrying on of several large mining companies is worthy of all praise, and proves the great confidence which is entertained by both local and foreign capitalists in the resources of these localities.
The timber trade is likewise an important industry, which must, in the course of time, command success on the West Coast.
The alluvial goldfields, extending as they do from north to south in every direction; the recently discovered quartz reefs at Cedar Creek, which only await development; the marble quarries of Caswell Sound; the lithographic quarries of Pawarika; the numerous discoveries of iron, copper, silver, antimony, plumbago, tin, and other minerals, all point to the grand future and ultimate prosperity of the well-named Golden Coast. Of its inhabitants it may justly be said, though they have laboured under many disadvantages as compared with those of other parts of the Colony, they have endeavoured to make the best of that which they possess. They have overcome many difficulties which appeared insurmountable by a sparse population of limited means and appliances. There has certainly been no disposition to imitate the example of a recalcitrant lady of historical fame—Lot’s wife.
But while the spirit has been willing on the part of Westlanders, in regard both to the discovery and development of its hidden resources, the wherewithal to carry out their desires has been of an exceedingly limited character. More particularly does this apply to the southern portion of Westland. There can be no question that, from Hokitika southwards to the boundary line between Westland and Otago, there is a vast estate, the value of which is mainly dependent upon the development of its mineral deposits. A large portion of this country is comparatively unknown, and, I am confident, is worthy of being examined, not by what are usually known as Government prospecting parties, but thoroughly and systematically by an organised party of explorers, combining practical and theoretical experience, and superintended by a competent and responsible leader. Free from the obstruction of natives, such as interfered with the opening of goldfields in the North Island; presenting no special difficulties in the matter of maintaining communication and obtaining supplies; and offering already large inducements to further research, this extensive and interesting territory deserves to be explored, not only with a view to the discovery of gold, but with a view to determining what other minerals may exist, and how much there is to encourage enterprise and settlement. Until something is done in this direction, it is to be feared that the territory referred to will continue to appear on the map as the one piece of country, though the most promising, yet the most thinly populated and insufficiently known. This much may be again repeated before leaving the southern parts of Westland, that there is great need for organising a thorough system of superficial and geological exploration, as no part of the Colony gives greater promise of containing hidden wealth in abundance.
But let us direct our steps northwards, and foremost on the fields stands the Ross United Gold-Mining Company, holding two hundred acres of ground in the Totara district, with a capital of £150,000. This company is managed by a local directory, of which Mr Bonar is chairman; Mr Gibson, manager; and Mr Malfroy, mining manager. A considerable proportion of the capital of this company has been subscribed in London. This company’s ground comprises the large area formerly worked and drained at great expense by steam power to the depth of fully 300 ft, at which level very rich gold was obtained. In order to cope with the water, the company have completed a tunnel, two miles in length, which drains the flat to a depth of 100 ft. At this level they have erected powerful hydraulic machinery, which enables them to drain the lower levels at a nominal cost, their main shaft being now sunk 392 ft. Powerful hydraulic elevating machinery has also been constructed to work the surface down to the level of the drainage tunnel, which raises from 2000 to 4000 yds. per diem. The elevating machinery is erected upon ground that has been worked by parties of miners, by means of inclined tramways, for years, with payable results. Under the improved system of working, there can be little doubt that the shareholders in this company will shortly reap a rich reward for their enterprise.
The Prince of Wales Company is the next in point of importance in this district, with a capital of £30,000. It is managed in a similar way, and is situated about half a mile from the southern boundary of the Ross Company, at a place called Donoghues. Here, again, a drainage tunnel has been brought up at a low level, and elevating machinery has proved to be a success, and as soon as the water-works are completed, will be kept in constant operation, and, judging by previous experience of the ground, with very profitable results.
The Mont D’Or Gold-Mining and Water-Race Company, Ross. Capital £12,000, in 12,000 £1 shares. Lease, area fifty acres; average out-turn of gold, 150 ozs. per month; dividend averaging 6s. per share a year. The first lease was taken up by two miners, C. Davey and J. R. Leger, who, having thoroughly prospected the range, and being satisfied the ground would pay if worked on a large scale, applied for certain water-rights, and commenced operations. Owing to the scanty supply of water obtainable, it was found necessary to employ a great deal of labour, and water was purchased from the Totara and Jones’s Creek Water-Race Company to carry the dirt away; at the same time the extension of the head-race was steadily proceeded with. One of the partners, Mr Leger, finding the cost too much, was compelled to divide his interest into three parts, retaining one himself, the other two he disposed of. The party continued struggling along, encountering many obstacles and mishaps, but steadily improving their position, getting into a better way of working, and increasing their water supply, until, in 1882, they resolved to register themselves under the Mining Companies Act. Their property, which four years before had cost them a capital spent in opening out about £1000, was now valued at £9000, and when 3000 of their shares, held in reserve, were offered to the public at 5s. premium, they were eagerly subscribed for, and since then the premium has greatly increased. The success of the company is to a very considerable extent attributable to the indefatigable exertions of Mr Davey, who is now mining manager to the company, and is at the same time one of the largest shareholders. The company is still extending its water system, and it will soon be one of the most valuable in the district. They have initiated the system of laying iron bottoms for their sluice boxes, and negotiations are pending for the acquisition of the necessary appliances to provide an electric light, it having been found that a lot of the night water could not be profitably employed with the poor means of lighting at their command. The whole of the range worked by this company is auriferous, the hill having been cut through in two or three places and the runs of gold traced continuously. This company is controlled by a Board of Directors residing at Ross, though the registered office is at Hokitika, at the office of the manager, Mr L. Northcroft. All the original shareholders continue to hold largely in the company, and retain seats on the directory.
The Mount Greenland Gold-Mining and Water-Race Company, situated on the same range and adjoining the Mont D’Or, was formed originally by a party of twelve miners uniting with twelve business people to bring in a water supply and work a lease by sluicing, as in the Mont D’Or. The construction of the race was a tedious job, it having been done in disjointed sections, and consequently very little work was done on the claim till the race was finished. After they had been in operation a considerable time it was thought desirable to register under the Mining Companies Act, but this was not brought about until after legal action was taken, several of the miners having an insuperable objection to companies. However, the difficulty was got over, and the company registered with 2400 shares at £5 each, making the capital £12,000. Of this amount £10,000, or £4, 3s. 4d. per share, was declared paid up, representing value of the race, plant, etc. This company has done a great deal of remunerative work, and one year it gladdened the hearts of its shareholders by giving 20s. per share in dividends. For the past year or two, however, it has not been paying so well, having been forced to run off a lot of poor top dirt to get into a good way of working. This dead work being now nearly over, the shareholders are anticipating increased yields. The company is managed from Ross, many of the directors being original shareholders.
The Humphreys Gully United Gold-Mining Company, holding two hundred acres in the Arahura district, is another of the large companies whose shares are partly held in London. The company’s ground is situated about ten miles north of Hokitika, and the capital is £150,000. The ground is exceptionally situated for its successful working, having a face of auriferous drift ranging from 200 to 500 ft. high, carrying gold more or less through the whole extent. The get away for the tailings cannot be surpassed, there being a large fall to the Arahura River, and the ground being remarkably free from large stones. The water rights held by this company are fully adequate to their requirements. Good progress is being made with extensive works, necessary for bringing in the large supply of water required, and it is expected in a few months that the company will commence sluicing operations. Mr Bonar is chairman of directors; Mr Gibson, manager; and Mr M‘Arthur, engineer.
Several smaller companies in various parts of Westland are worthy of notice, some yielding fair returns, and others showing great promise, but I refer to these five principal claims as likely to work out a new era in the history of gold-mining in Westland, believing that they are the precursors of other undertakings, which will not only yield handsome returns to the owners, but will give employment to a large number of men on these goldfields.
It may here be mentioned that of the gold exported for the twelve months ended 31st March 1884, the West Coast coalfields contributed 49 per cent. as against Otago 35 per cent., and Auckland 16 per cent.; or very nearly one-half, one-third, and one-sixth, respectively. The value of gold exported from the colony has averaged about a million sterling for many years. During the first three years’ existence of the West Coast, no less than 829,272 ozs. of gold, of the value of £3,317,118, was exported from the port of Hokitika, on which duty to the amount of £103,659 was paid to the Government. The whole of the gold at that time, and indeed the bulk of it up to the present time, has been the product of individual exertions of small parties of miners, and large areas of ground show signs of now being worked by companies, similar to those above described.
Wandering still northwards, in the Stafford and Goldsborough districts, mining claims are still being worked to advantage, though chiefly by individual labour; while in Kumara and Dillmans some claims are yielding the shareholders handsome returns. These districts have the benefit of the Waimea Water-Race and Holmes’s Race, both highly remunerative properties, the former held by the Government, the latter owned by Mr James Holmes of Kumara, who is likely to reap a deserved reward for his persevering enterprise.
Valuable deposits of silver are believed to exist in the Totara district, but, as yet, there have been no returns, though considerable expenditure has been incurred by one public company, and by individual prospectors. Copper ore has been discovered at the Haast, and in various other places in the southern portion of the district, but little has been done towards its development. Several coal seams are known to exist in Westland south, in the Haast, Paringa, Totara, and Kanieri districts. At Paringa a seam, 8 ft. thick and of superior quality, was worked for a short time; and near the Kanieri Lake a party of enterprising prospectors have expended a few hundred pounds on a seam about the same thickness, but the reports of experts have not been of a sufficiently encouraging nature to warrant large expenditure.
The marble quarries at Caswell Sound have been reported upon most favourably as being of great extent, and the quality of the stone is said to be equal to any in the world, not excepting Carrara marble, as was proved by the fact that the Caswell marble, competing against Italy and other marble producing countries, took first prize at the Sydney and Christchurch Exhibitions. Judges say it is a first class, almost pure sychrine marble, easily and freely worked, and susceptible of a very high polish. The advantages and facilities for working these marbles are such as are possessed by no other marble quarries in the world. Caswell Sound is a commodious, thoroughly safe and land-locked harbour, with great depth of water throughout, and the largest ocean vessels can ride with perfect safety in all weathers, taking in cargo close up to the quarries, the marble cliff outcrop being about 600 ft. perpendicular, with 30 fathoms of water immediately alongside. A company was formed some years ago for the purpose of working these marble quarries, and they have already shipped a considerable quantity of stone, which found ready market at a high price.
Reference has already been made in another chapter to the lithographic stone at Abbey Rocks. About £4000 has been spent in ascertaining the value and extent of the stone at the quarries.
The manufacture of leather, beer, coffee, and furniture have each been successfully carried on, but in the absence of railway communication, insuperable obstacles to the establishment of industries of any kind constantly present themselves. Indeed many of the natural resources of Westland may be said to be lying dormant simply from the want of ready communication with a market. Facility of intercourse is the chief requirement, not only of Westland but of the whole coast, to ensure the development of its resources, to enhance the colonial revenue, and to largely increase the population.
There are nine saw-mills in the county of Westland, two of which are exporting mills, the others supply local demands only. The two principal mills are the Three-Mile Mill and the Maori Mill, each of which can supply 35,000 superficial ft. per week. Good bush may be said to average 32,000 ft. per acre, which, at the shipping price of 50s. per 1000, would make the value per acre, for timber only, £80. This, I am given to understand, is the average yield of timber cut by Messrs Malfroy, Brothers, & Co., the owners of the Three-Mile Creek Mill, for the past nine years. Some years ago there was exported by the proprietors of the Three-Mile Creek Mill, as much as 2,000,000 ft. in one year, but the export from both mills now does not exceed 1,000,000 ft. per annum. The price of timber is cheaper on the coast than anywhere in the Colony, but the high rate of freight ruling, as compared with freights and railway carriage elsewhere, has prevented an extension of this line of business. The exports consist principally of red and white pine, and totara. The Three-Mile Creek Mill is worked by a 45 h.-p. engine; the Maori Mill, the property of Messrs James Craig & Co., by a 40 h.-p. engine. The other mills are Grimmond’s, at Ross, 16 h.-p.; Nicholson’s, at Kumara, 12 h.-p.; Maher’s, on Ross Road, 14 h.-p.; Loekington’s, near Ross, water-power; Pott’s, at Rimu, water-power; one at Stafford and another at Kumara, also worked by water. There are thirty or forty varieties of timber in Westland, and the quantity is inexhaustible. Railway communication to the East Coast would revolutionise this industry, as there is an area of good timbered land, within two miles of the railway from Arthur’s Pass to Brunnerton, still remaining in the hands of the Crown, of 65,000 acres, which, at the most moderate calculation, would yield to the Government, for the timber upon it, at least £5 per acre. There is a further area of 100,000 acres outside of this line, of two miles on each side, which is believed would readily bring £3 per acre; and beyond this, there is an area of 2,600,000 acres of Crown lands, still unsold, the value of which is difficult at present to estimate.
