REPORT ON THE RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY OF THE SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICT
OF THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO, executed during the months of October and November, also February,
March, and part of April, 1857-8, by ALEX. GARVIE,
Assistant Surveyor.

THE South-Eastern Districts may be generally defined to include that part of the Province stretching from Dunedin to the Mataura river, and from the Dunstan and Rock and Pillar mountains to the Ocean.

SURVEY.

The basis of the survey was the triangulation of the Otago block, in which I was engaged last year, the details and topographical features being laid down by the usual methods had recourse to in reconnaissance — principally, converging angles, cross and transit bearings taken by the Theodolite.

AREA.

The total estimated area of these districts is 5807 square miles, comprising the following natural divisions:—

Forest ............ 614 square miles
Pasture ............ 4936 ,,
Swamp ............ 28 ,,
Barren ............ 220 ,,
Lakes ............ 9 ,,

Total ............ 5807 square miles

A detailed estimate of these divisions will be found in Appendix A.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.

These districts are divided by the Clutha river into two portions somewhat different in their general features. The eastern portion may be described as a succession of ranges and alternate valleys parallel to the coast and to each other, extending from the sea to the valley of Manuherikia. These ranges have few well-defined peaks, but consist mostly of long-rounded or flat-topped spurs, traversed by deep gullies. The first range runs along the coast from Saddlehill to the mouth of the Clutha river; its average height is not above 900 feet, the well-defined wooded peak of Saddlehill rising to 1565 feet. The second range extends from Flagstaff to Mount Stuart, running down in long spurs to the Clutha river, towards Ivikatea ferry. The flat summit of Maungatua, 2985 feet is its highest elevation, but the average is not above half that height. The third range stretches from the Rock and Pillar mountain to Lammerlaw, from whence it also runs down in long rounded spurs to the Clutha river. On the top are two or three parallel ridges, rising to a flat summit, with an elevation of 3820 feet. These ranges average about 3200 feet high, and from their peculiarly bleak, moorish appearance, have been called the Lammermoors. The fourth range in order is the Rough-ridge, rising to a height of nearly 4000 feet; and the fifth are the Raggedy ranges, attaining an elevation of 3000 feet. These last are thickly dotted with blocks of schist rocks of all forms and sizes, giving rise to some strikingly peculiar scenery. The valley between the first and second ranges contains the Taieri and Tokomairiro plains, the general level of which is low, not above 10 to 150 feet above the sea. The space between the second and third ranges is occupied by part of the second Taieri plain, rising from 800 to 1500 feet above the sea. To the south-west is the valley of the Waitahuna, intersected by deep gullies and long flat-topped spurs.

In the western portion of the district the Kaihiku ranges and their continuation form a northern limit to a tract of country differing in its features from all the other parts. This tract is characterised by razor back ridges and conical hills, so similar to each other as to be perplexing to travellers, it also contains by far the largest quantity of wood in the district. The streams here generally run in valleys and on rocky beds. North of this the country between the Kaihiku ranges on the one hand, and the Pomahaka, and Clutha rivers on the other, consists chiefly of low ranges, not averaging more than 400 or 500 feet, and intersected by numerous creeks, many of which have sluggish, winding courses through narrow alluvial flats. Still farther north are the Tapanui ranges, rising to a height of 3350 feet; and towards the north-west the Umbrella and other snowy mountains, varying in height from 4000 to 6000 feet. Between these ranges occur the valleys of the Upper Pomahaka and Wakaia.

The principal rivers and streams of this district, are—the Clutha, by far the largest which enters the northern extremity, issuing out of a deep gorge at the south end of the Dunstan mountains; its general course is southerly, passing through another gorge between the Tapanui ranges and Lammerlaw. It divides