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I am sure, that Commodore Bernhard v. Wüllerstorf Urbair, the Commander of the Austrian Scientific Novara Expedition, and the Austrian Government, will have great pleasure in learning, that one of the members of that Expedition has received so much kindness and assistance on English soil in the Antipodes.

I have the honor to remain,

Sir,

Your Honor’s, faithfully,

FERDINAND HOCHSTETTER,

Geologist on board the Austrian Frigate "Novara".

To His Honor

John Williamson, Esq.,

Superintendent of the Province of Auckland.

LECTURE ON THE GEOLOGY OF THE PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND.

[Delivered to the Members of the Auckland Mechanics’ Institute, June 24, 1859.]

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The members of the Auckland Mechanics’ Institute having done me the honour to elect me as honorary member of their institution, and the Committee having invited me to give a Lecture upon the Geology of this Province, I have much pleasure in complying with their request. It is, however, with some hesitation that I undertake this task, fearing that my imperfect knowledge of the English language will prevent my making the short sketch I wish to lay before you as interesting as it might otherwise be. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, I gladly take this opportunity of giving the inhabitants of this Province, through the members of this Institute, such a résumé as I can of the chief results of the Geological Survey I have made of those parts of the country I have visited.

I feel this, indeed, to be a duty I owe to the community at large, in return for the very kind reception that has everywhere been given me — for the ready help that has always been afforded by all whom I have met with — and for the interest that has been shown by all in the proceedings of the Imperial Austrian "Novara" Expedition.

Having, in the months of January and February, completed my Survey, and finished a Geological Map of the Auckland District, which I now have the pleasure of showing you, — the necessity arose for my choosing either the Northern or the Southern portion of the Province for my further researches, my limited stay in New Zealand rendering it impossible for me to make a sufficient examination in both directions.

I did not hesitate to choose the Southern districts — for these reasons: that the country over which I should there proceed, is inhabited almost exclusively by Maories, and has hitherto been almost unknown and totally unsurveyed, both topographically and geologically. The Northern districts, on the contrary, are for the most part better known, and from the number of European settlers in them, I was led to hope I should be enabled to collect some information through specimens forwarded to me for examination, and from the verbal descriptions of those who are well acquainted with the various localities.

My hope was not unfounded in either respect. I have received many specimens of interest from various localities; also some valuable information from different settlers, and especially from my friends, the Rev. A. G. Purchas and Mr. C. Heaphy, who in the last few months have had opportunities of visiting several parts of the Northern portion of this Province, and of collecting very valuable specimens. In addition to this must be remembered the fact, that other scientific men, especially MM. Dieffenbach and Dusky, had already visited and described at length some parts of the Northern country.

Through the liberality and excellent arrangements of the General and Provincial Governments I have been enabled in a comparatively short time to travel over and to examine the larger portion of the Province South of Auckland, extending as far as Lake Taupo and Tongariro Volcano, the boundaries between this Province and those of Wellington and Hawke’s Bay. I have thus obtained materials which will enable me, on my return to Europe, to construct a Topographical and Geological Map of the central part of the Northern Island.

My observations have, with the able assistance of Mr. Drummond Hay, extended from the East- to the West-Coast; and the numerous peaks and ranges have afforded facilities for fixing with satisfactory accuracy, by means of magnetic bearings, on the basis of points previously fixed, by the nautical survey of Capt. Drury on the coast-line, all the great natural features of this portion of the country. A great number of barometrical observations have afforded me the means of ascertaining the heights of mountains and plains in the interior, which I shall be able to calculate with accuracy by the aid of corresponding daily observations, taken in Auckland by Colonel Mould, who has kindly forwarded me a copy of his tables.

I have also obtained photographic and other views of great interest, many of which were taken by the gentlemen who accompanied me on the expedition for this purpose; and a large number of exceedingly valuable sketches have been contributed by the talented pencil of our president, Mr. C. Heaphy, for future publication in a geological atlas. Many of these are decorating the walls and others are lying on the table, and I shall be happy to show them to any ladies and gentlemen who may feel an interest in seeing them, at the conclusion of the lecture.

My collections have been growing from day to day, and include specimens of great interest in most branches of Natural History. I owe a great deal to the indefatigable zeal of my friend and fellow-traveller, Dr. Haast, who assisted me in collecting during our expedition. I am also much indebted to Mr. J. Crawford at Wellington, Mr. A. S. Atkinson