Provincial Secretary’s Office,
Christchurch, July 14, 1855.

HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT directs the following Report of an Exploration, with a view to "the discovery of a direct line of road between Nelson and Christchurch, to be published for general information.

By His Honor’s command,
For the Provincial Secretary,
T. B. KEELE.
Chief Clerk,

REPORT OF AN EXPEDITION WITH A VIEW TO THE DISCOVERY OF A DIRECT LINE OF ROUTE BETWEEN NELSON AND CANTERBURY.

TO THE PROVINCIAL SECRETARY, PROVINCE OF NELSON.

SIR— I have the honor to forward, for the information of his Honor the Superintendent, the following report of an expedition into the interior of this island, projected by the Provincial Government of Nelson, with a view to the discovery of a direct line of route between Nelson and Canterbury.

I am fortunately in a position to report that I have succeeded in attaining that object by the discovery of a route (or I might more correctly say, of two routes), presenting few and inconsiderable natural impediments, avoiding the Fairfield Downs and Barefell Pass, diminishing the distance to be travelled by about 180 miles, and which in fact would, after a slight outlay on the part of government, place the fine grass country of the Acheron and Clarence at a distance of from two to three days, that of Waiau-ua and Hurunui at from four to five, and Christchurch itself at about six days from Nelson.

The whole route, either by the Acheron or the Clarence, affords abundance of excellent feed for cattle, sheep, or horses; is generally speaking level, and crosses the Wairau, the Acheron, and the Clarence so near their sources as to render the fording of those rivers a matter of comparatively little moment, under ordinary circumstances and with ordinary precautions.

I may, moreover, be permitted to state, that although unquestionably a work of expense and magnitude, no insurmountable barrier exists to the ultimate formation of a dray road from Nelson to Canterbury, which would be practicable in most seasons of the year. The greatest difficulties would be found in the hill about the upper Motueka Valley, at the head of Blind Bay, in the descent from "Jollie’s Pass," and in the Leslie hills on the Waiau-ua (the latter might possibly be avoided.) No doubt travelling would be occasionally interrupted by snow and (especially in the southern part of the route) by floods. Judging by the nature of the vegetation and from the fall of the rivers, I imagine that the level of the most elevated valleys cannot be less than from 2,000 to 2,500 feet above the sea; but it must be borne in mind that the route between Nelson and "Jollie’s Pass" surmounts no mountain ranges of any consequence, as will appear when I enter into details.

I will now proceed to lay before you a somewhat more detailed account of my expedition, and of the country which I have traversed.

In undertaking the expedition I was aware that the late season of the year might possibly endanger its success. I consequently lost no time in proceeding to Flaxbourne, and after making the necessary preparations I commenced my journey without delay. Knowing that between the "Top House" on the Wairau Valley and the Clarence and Acheron country there was some forest to be traversed, and a formidable mountain barrier to be penetrated or surmounted, I decided upon performing that part of my journey upon foot, with a single companion, whilst, as far as possible to guard against the contingencies of snows or floods, and to facilitate any explorations that I might find advisable in the comparatively open countries of the Acheron or Clarence, I sent round a party with horses and provisions to proceed by the Awatere over Barefell Pass, and to await me on the Acheron, five miles above its confluence with the Guide; for this latter service I was so fortunate as to secure the co-operation of Messrs. McCabe and Knight, whilst for the former I had taken with me an old and experienced bush hand. An accident however, obliged him to return home from the "Top House," and I am much indebted to Mr. A. C. Clifford, who most opportunely volunteered to supply his place.

It was on the afternoon of Monday, 26th March, that Mr. A. Clifford and myself entered the Black Birch Bush on the upper Wairau, on the west side of the river, opposite to the "Top House." We encamped that night about five miles from the entrance of the bush. The next day we proceeded about ten miles, and the following morning, after a walk of some three or four more, we stood in the centre of an