Of the climate of the District,

Captain Stokes, in his Paper laid before the Geographical Society (see Vol. XXI., page 26), states that—“Speaking generally, the climate is very equal, although rather wet towards the sea coast, but less so in the interior, as is shown by the remarkable difference in the vegetation of these respective situations, and by Mr. Hamilton’s experience of only 16 rainy days out of 46, whilst in the ship, out of 77 days, 35 were wet. Snow rarely lies on the low lands, though we saw very thin ice occasionally between the 15th of March and the 1st of June. During this interval the temperature ranged from 40 to 60 degrees, but on one or two occasions as low as 32 degrees, and the wind veered from North-West to South-West.”

My own experience is limited to the months of October and November of last year, and January, February, and March of this year. I registered no observations during the first period, which is the spring; but may state my impressions of the same. These were, that the climate is by no means so severe as during the corresponding period in England, but that it is unsettled, with frequent showers and gales from the West.

On reference to Appendix D, a register will be found of the daily state of the atmosphere during my last visit, appended to which is one taken at Dunedin by the Rev. Mr. Burns, who politely placed his observations at my disposal. I did not think it necessary to draw on his kindness further than for a portion of the month of January, as my observations in the Southern Districts at the sea level were confined to that period; the rest being taken, often at a high elevation, in the interior. The comparison of the results shows an equal atmospheric pressure, the difference being the unappreciable one of .003 in.; and the temperature also has scarcely any variance—such variance amounting to only 1 degree, which, if greater heat be considered an advantage, is in favour of the Southern Districts. But regarding this subject, it is necessary to remark, that the observations not having been taken similarly in manner, some discrepancies are unavoidable. Notwithstanding this, the observations I believe will be found satisfactory for practical purposes. My observations would have probably been better taken at 5 a.m. and 1 p.m.; if

Oreti joining the Mataura, the Aparima joining the Oreti, and again the Oreti flowing through the lower course of the Hamilton Burn into the Aparima.

The surface of the District is generally well supplied with timber—near the sea coast for agricultural requirements; and further inland there is mostly sufficient for pastoral purposes. The largest forest is that on the Long Wood range, which, on reference to Appendix A, will be seen to include 242 square miles. In this forest birch prevails, especially on the Eastern exposure; but Totara and Pine are found in abundance towards the North-Eastern aspect. The next large forest is that of the Hokanui, including 72 square miles. Here the best descriptions of wood are found, including Black, White, and Red Pine, and Totara. The other forests of large dimensions are those of Seaward and Eyre, relatively 58 and 54 square miles in size. The former abounds in Pines, and the latter in mountain Birch.

Of Marshes, Mosses, and Bogs, there are eleven well defined—the most extensive being the Seaward Moss, including 72 square miles. This is situated on the sea coast, between the Bluff Harbour and the Mataura. Where the under structure is exposed, the formation is seen to consist of dead vegetable matter, in some places approaching the form of lignite. Lagoons and water-holes abound on the surface, and it is entirely impenetrable for quadrupeds, and in certain places even for man. The other Mosses do not in any case exceed 7 square miles in extent, and are distributed in various parts of the District.

The rest of the surface of the District is covered with natural grasses, which I will notice under the head of “Pasturage.” The entirely barren land is only found on the tops of the higher ranges, where the snow rests for nine to eleven months in the year. Mount Eyre, 6084 feet high, is never divested of its snow. The entirely barren district I judged to be at an elevation of 5000 feet; for while I would rank the summit of the Dome Mountain as barren (4505 feet), being unfit for grazing purposes, yet a hardy vegetation was found even here, consisting of snow grass, lichens, and a species of heath. When we descend from higher altitudes, the unprofitable vegetation ends at the level of 2000 to 2500 feet above the sea, if the soil be good.