88

From the distance, it was impossible to
say what the course of the river was, but I
conjectured it to be (from its position) the
head waters of the Branch.

Beyond the low hills, at the south-east
end of the valley last referred to, to the
horizon, no higher ground was seen.
Further to the eastward, at a distance of
about 40 miles, high rocky mountains were
seen, covered with snow, which I supposed
to be the inland Kaikoras.

From the north, round to north-west, nothing was seen but the high peaks of the
rocky mountains through which the Wairau
flows, attaining to the north-west and west-
north-west a very considerable elevation—
assumed by me at little under 7,500 to
8,000 feet.

The country from the north-north-east
round by eastward to south-west within the
boundaries above mentioned, was fairly
grassed, but distinguished by an almost
total absence of wood, which is only found
in the gullies and small valleys in the
rocky mountains. These may however be
reached with drays from almost any part
of the district.

The tract appeared to me to contain not
less than 200,000 acres, available as useful
cattle feeding country.

In conclusion, I beg to state that, from
observation, as well as from the assurances
of the natives since my return, I am satis-
fied that the country I went in search of
does exist; but I recommend that any fur-
ther exploration should be deferred until a
more seasonable period of the year.

I believe that, instead of crossing the
Rangitahi, we ought to have continued up
the Wairau River for about 13 miles, and
then crossed the range on the left bank, in
a south-west direction, which would have
brought us to the head waters of the Wai-
au-toa, in a valley called the Maunga
Tawai.

PRINTED BY J. WILLIS, AT THE STANDARD OFFICE, CHRISTCHURCH.

I have supposed that the river flowing
at the south-eastern end of the Rangitahi
plain joins the Wai-au-toa, but my want
of knowledge of the country beyond what
I actually saw, gives a colour of greater
uncertainty to all my conjectures in these
respects.

I have enclosed a sketch of the course
of the Wairau, &c., showing the route I
followed.

I have not expatiated on the picturesque
and beautiful character of much of the
scenery through which I passed, as I be-
lieve this report will be looked on rather
in an utilitarian than in any other point of
view; but I may say, that to the lover
of scenery bold and beautiful, of
rough rocks,
And quarries whose heads touch heaven:—

a visit to the Rangitahi would not be time
lost, or labour misspent.

I have, &c.

WILLIAM THOMAS LOCKE TRAVERS,
Nelson, 25th April, 1855.

P.S. As a few words on the geology of
the district may not be unacceptable, I beg
to add, that the mountains are composed
of highly crystalline schist, in which are
found veins of porphyry and quartz; but,
although I searched with some diligence,
I did not succeed in finding any trace of
metallic minerals, or anything to indicate
their probable existence, except in one
part of the Inkermau range, where a black
killas, containing a good deal of horn-
blende, was found in contact with veins of
quartz. Whether this killas indicates the
presence of any metallic mineral, or not,
I cannot say. The prevailing rock is ex-
ceedingly hard, and the summits of the
mountains, covered with sharp-pointed
angular masses of rock, present very much
the appearance of a gigantic cross-cut saw.