142

wa is rather a large native settlement, and from whence
we got most of our supplies. Two small vessels trade
between it and Nelson; wheat and potatoes are their
principal produce. Near the east head of the Mahaki-
paws, the rivers Hoiere and Kaituna meet, forming
banks, and leaving channels only navigable for small
boats. To Parapara on the Hoiere from the above point
(through a winding channel, only navigable at or near
high water) is a distance of three miles. Here I give
Lieut. Jones' account of the Hoieri valley, as he accom-
plished the journey to Nelson with Dr. Jolliffe, return-
ing by Croisiller Harbour. And Mr. Blackney's jour-
nal supplies details of the Kaituna pass.

"The track from the Pelorus to Nelson is a portion
of that cut by Mr. Barnicott, a Government Surveyor,
some few years since, with a view of establishing a
shorter means of communication with the Wairau plains
than the route at present employed. From about a
mile above the native settlement of Parapara, a cross
track leads into the Surveyor's road, which winds
along the right bank of the Hoiere river about nine
miles, until the juncture of the little river Rai, at
which point the Hoiere is forded, and the track conti-
nues along its left bank as far as the foot of the Maunga
Tapu, a distance of about eighteen miles in a direct line.
Two small streams, the Herenga and Tui-tine, which
also effect a junction with the Pelorus, are crossed after
leaving the river Rai.

"The valley through which the Hoiere winds varies
in width from one to three miles. The soil appears
good and well adapted for agricultural purposes. Por-
tions of it are heavily timbered, and very fine spars
could be procured with but little difficulty. The patches
of wheat, potatoes, and maize in the hands of the na-
tives, which we passed through, although not extensive,
appeared in an exceedingly flourishing condition, the
wheat particularly, the ears being remarkably large and
heavy.

"The ascent of Maunga-Tapu is steep and difficult,
a series of smaller ridges, covered with dense forest,
rendering the track intricate and very fatiguing. Its
summit is 3500 feet above the level of the sea, and from
it a beautiful view of the windings of the Hoiere may be
obtained. Parallel ranges of lofty and densely wooded
hills, succeeding each other as far as the eye can reach,
the bare peaks of the 'Saddle Back' on the left, 4000
feet in height, and the 'Sugar Loaf,' also 4000 feet, on
the right, being the most conspicuous objects.

"The descent of Maunga-Tapu is equally tedious
and difficult. After leaving the immediate neighbour-
hood of the summit, high fern succeeds the forest, the
track winding round the intervening ridges, in many
places so narrow as barely to afford a footing. On
reaching the foot of this range, the track winds along
the banks of the Maitai river until it enters Nelson.

**To make this track at all practicable, would neces-
sarily involve a very large outlay. Many substantial
bridges would be required to span the streams, which,
although at this season are easily forded, after heavy
rains or thaws, are swollen to a considerable size; the
banks in many places showing a rise of from ten to
fifteen feet. The impracticability of avoiding many of
the very steep ascents would also render the road at all
times difficult, and, excepting as a mule track, useless
for any description of vehicle.

"As the track remains at present, it is tedious enough
for foot passengers; in many places already much over-
grown, and through its whole extent the stumps re-
maining a foot above the ground, the larger trees having
been allowed to fall across and remain as they were
felled. The whole distance can be accomplished in two
summer's days."

Journey from the head of the Pelorus through the
Kaituna Pass to the Wairau Plains, by Mr. Black-
ney.

On February 19th, at noon, Lieut. Jones, Dr. Joliffe,
and myself left the ship to travel through the Kaituain
Pass to the Wairau Plains.

We arrived at the village, Orakawhea, where we en-
gaged our natives at 3s 6d per diem. This village has
about forty natives, belonging to the Rangatani tribe.
The river here (Kaituna) is not more than thirty yards
broad at H.W., and the water always fresh. It is one
mile within the mouth, and situated on the east bank,
the land about it cultivated with wheat, maize, and
potatoes; they do not appear to grow pumikins, melons,
or onions, as in the northern island.

On the 20th, we crossed to the west bank, and com-
menced our journey towards Wairau, accompanied by
several natives. In half an hour we crossed the Wha-
kaihu, twenty feet broad, its bed pebbles; it rises in
the hills, forming the western boundary of the valley.
Three miles from Orakia, where we left the surveyors
(Barnicott's track), taking the native track at the sug-
gestion of our guides, who said it was the shortest; but
we found it very difficult, having to crawl beneath low
trees and among supple jacks, and occasionally stung
by a nettle, that gave infinitely more pain than those at
home. At 10 a.m., we crossed to the east bank, and
came to a small pond called Tekopua, in which the
natives caught eels, by groping for them in holes which
they made near the edges; each eel weighed 2 lbs. At
11:30, we again came on Barnigott's track, and at noon
crossed the Rororariki and Kariki streams, and came
apen and spéin ang 200 fapt
above the level of the sea. Within an hour we crossed
the small streams of Awakiri, Teawheki and Motupu-
ki, heading the Kaituna at Orameo. Here we found the
water good and clear, running over a bed of pebbles,
and about eight miles S.S.E. from where we started.
Three quarters of an hour from this brought us to the
Wairau plains.

Our principal route had been through a level forest.
Our guides never failed to point out the Totara tree,
saying they were highly prized by the white man; they
are scarce, the highest about eighty feet and twenty
feet in girth.

From the head of the Kaituna to the head of the
Areare (a branch of the Wairau), the distance is not
more than a mile and a half. It is merely a swamp
where the the latter ends in the forest.
The small streams mentioned were easily crossed, the
season being dry, but it is very difficult at other
times.

We saw numbers of parrots and pigeons. The robin
was so tame as to allow itself to be fed by hand; the
natives killed all they could lay, hold of for baits to
catch eels.

The first view of the Wairau plains was uninviting,
the weather giving it a cheerless aspect, and the drought
had been excessive.

About a quarter of an hour after leaving the forest,
during which time our road was on the slope of hills
varying from 200 to 400 feet high, bare, and lately
burnt, we crossed a swamp near the head of the Areare,
and ascended about 300 feet of a bare ridge, which,
terminating the Kaituna valley, is also a part of the
northern boundary to the Wairan plains. Crossing this
is a seam of quarts rock, meeting the level at an angle
of 20°. Having descended the hill, our road was at
the foot, and several swamps were crossed, only passa-
ble because the season was dry.

Having left our natives behind with the luggage, we
were without guides, and, missing the road, we struck