Page:Rambles on the Golden Coast of New Zealand.djvu/72

50 land, they ran for Milford Sound. For five weeks they were in and out of their shelter, endeavouring to beach their boat, but the weather continued unfavourable, and they were unable to do so. At length they managed to beach the boat, but in doing so they stove in three planks, and all their provisions were drenched with sea-water. The point at which they effected a landing was eight or nine miles southward of Martin’s Bay. A few days afterwards, four of the party with a week’s provisions, started to prospect the beaches towards Milford Sound; but on that occasion they found no gold in payable quantities. Four miles from where they landed, however, they found gold on the beach, and it was backed by sandy terraces which they intended to prospect; but the provisions they had with them did not enable them to remain, and they returned. As the general stock of provisions for the party began to run short, they tried to launch the boat, to proceed to Big Bay; but she again got stove. While thus detained, they found indications of gold immediately to the northward of the place where the boat lay; but there was no quantity of wash. Starting for Big Bay by the beaches, they returned with provisions and two men to assist in the launching of their boat; and, on their return, they prospected further into the terraces where they had previously got indications of gold, and there they obtained payable prospects. Getting the boat launched and despatched for provisions, they remained there and commenced to bring in a race, as they had succeeded in obtaining 4 ozs. of gold, washed out in a gin-case, during two days’ work. On the completion of the party, by the return of the boat from Big Bay, they finished the race, occupying three or four weeks in that part of their work, and, after it was finished, they worked for other three weeks. In that time they obtained 3 lbs. 2 ozs. of gold, and it then ran out. They had also exhausted all their provisions, but what was sufficient for one day. They prospected, sinking some holes four or five ft. deep in the immediate neighbourhood, but they could not remain. They re-launched the boat, returned to Big Bay, and after a fortnight’s detention there, they started north. During the whole time of their stay, the weather, except for a few weeks, made prospecting impossible. It has no necessary connection with the objects of this expedition; but, to complete their history, it may just be stated that, on their way north, they landed to the southward of Jackson’s Bay; that there they ascertained the circumstances of the drowning of Mr Marsden and the other man whose loss was recently recorded; that they supplied some of their stores to the family who were destitute, but who were disposed to stay there if they could only get provisions; and that they were subsequently picked up by the steamer “Kennedy” which had been despatched with relief to these people, and by her were brought on to Hokitika.

During the time that this party were prospecting to the southward of Martin’s Bay, another party of five were at work to the northward of Big Bay, and are understood to have had some good claims. Mr Cleave was also informed that they had other prospects which might induce them to return, and it is believed they had gone back overland to Big Bay. During their stay in the neighbourhood, this party had ascended to the head