We were now joined by Mr Bcobio Mackenzie, M.H.R , who accompanied us for the rest of the journey in his own buggy. Mr Pyke did not go beyond Ophir. Starting for Naseby we follow the course of the Mauuherikia rivet for some distance, and 10 miles of travelling lands us right opposite the Poolburn Gorge—a gap in the Ragged ttanges through which the Pool burn and the Ida burn having joined issue flow on to meet the Manuherikia. Here the highest point of the line—viz, 2040 ft, is reached, the distance from Wingatui being exactly 100 miles. The work of bringing the line through this gorge will ba one of considerable magni tude, as there is a good deal of rock cutting for a distance of three or four miles, hut by bringing tho live ouly as far as the esitrauce to tho gorge this rock work can be avoided, while at the same time tha line will then tap the Idabum Valley as well as tho valley of the Manuherikia. This would bring the bulk of the best land in the centre of Otago within easy distance of a market. There is some very good land, well settled, op posi'.v. -h>; Poolburn Gorge, while farther on in the Bluckstone Hill block, the laud is also highly suited for agricultural and pastoral purposes. A slight detour is made from a point midway be tween tha Poolburn Gorge and Blackstone Hill with the view of visiting St. Bathans, where we inspect Mr Bwiug's claim, and afterwards have lunch. Mr Swing's claim is now being worked ou a, large scale, and a new tail race which is being brought in will enable the proprietor to get at the rich gold which ia known to exist in the lower levels of the lead. The mine is worked by means of hydraulic sluicing in much the same way as the Blue Spur Company work their tailings bed.
