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miles west of the Limestone Gorge, and drained I think by the Ratuapo or big river of the map. It was from the Hindley Mountain that I had observations to it, as also to another lake north-west of Hindley. The lake first mentioned may cover fifty or more square miles, the other forty square miles. The next lake surveyed, was the Manipori, (lower Te Anau) it is of most irregular shape, and of great beauty, in size, eighteen miles long from east to west, and from one to eight broad. The Te Anau was next completed, its length from north to south forty miles, breadth two to eight miles; from its west side and at about equal distances apart, three fiords or sounds part off and wind in amongst the mountains in a north-west direction. I was at the head of each of these fiords, and had observations to determine their positions; they are each from ten to sixteen miles in length; when up the middle fiord I found on protracting one or two positions on the map, that the West Coast could not be far distant; accordingly the ascent of a high mountain was made, and from it the mouth of Caswell Sound was seen, as also the Island that is there, and the Ocean beyond. The distance across from the Lake to the head of the Sound will be about ten miles. Had it not been for bad weather and scarcity of provisions, I should have endeavoured to go over the saddle that separates the valley of Caswell Sound from that at the head of the fiord; it could be done I think.

I now proceed direct to the Mavora Lakes, thence to the Wakatipu Lake, where I hope to be in a month hence. My opportunity of sending this is sudden and unexpected.

I have the honor to be Sir,
Your most obedient servant,

James M’Kerrow,
District Surveyor.

To J. T. Thomson, Esq.,
Chief Surveyor.

CONTRACT

For Steam Navigation of River Clutha, with Messrs. Murray & Jackson.

ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT made the eighth day of November one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two BETWEEN Alexander Sinclair Murray and Peleg Whitford Jackson both of Adelaide South Australia Steam Boat Proprietors trading under the Firm of Murray and Jackson of the one part and John Larkins Cheese Richardson Superintendent of the Province of Otago New Zealand of the other part

WHEREAS the said Alexander Sinclair Murray and Peleg Whitford Jackson have agreed to build a light draught stern wheel steamer of between fifty and one hundred tons burthen with ample cabin and steerage passenger accommodation of not more than three feet draught of water with full cargo to run and ply upon the various routes and at the times and rates set forth in the Schedule hereto annexed such steamer to have a speed of not less than ten miles per hour during the period and for the subsidy after-mentioned and to have the said steamer completed and ready for service and placed on the Clutha River in the said Province on or before the seventh day of March one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three Now THIS DEED WITNESSETH that in pursuance of the said agreement and in consideration of a monthly subsidy of one hundred and fifty pounds to be paid in manner hereinafter mentioned the said Alexander Sinclair Murray and Peleg Whitford Jackson for themselves their heirs executors and administrators do hereby covenant and agree to and with the said John Larkins Cheese Richardson Superintendent as aforesaid and his successors in office that they the said Alexander Sinclair Murray and Peleg Whitford Jackson their executors or administrators shall and will cause a stern wheel steamer of the description aforesaid to run and ply three days in every week between the port of Molyneux and Tuapeka River calling at the Ferry and Pomahaka both going and returning making the up-trip one day and the down-trip the following day also to run and ply such steamer one day in every week between the port of Molyneux and the Ferry going and returning same day taking the Quaobranch on the up-trip and when practicable the Matau branch in returning for the period of two years commencing at any time on or before the seventh day of March one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three and shall and will during all that time uphold and maintain the said steamer in good and substantial repair and condition in all respects AND the said John Larkins Cheese Richardson as Superintendent aforesaid for himself and his said successors doth hereby covenant promise and agree to and with the said Alexander Sinclair Murray and Peleg Whitford Jackson their executors and administrators that he the said John Larkins Cheese Richardson or his said successors will pay or cause to be paid to the said Alexander Sinclair Murray and Peleg Whitford Jackson their executors or administrators for the period aforesaid the said subsidy or sum of one hundred and fifty pounds at the termination of each and every month of the said term or such proportion thereof as shall be earned conformably to the conditions of this contract