who seem to have come down the river for a short distance and turned back again, about three days previous to our passing. We stumbled on the same tracks repeatedly as far as the height of land, but there lost them, as the men appear to have kept up on the range to the West, without descending to the Greenstone Valley.

The Secretary of the Gold Fields has also placed in my hands a sketch map of the same country, which in all the main features is very correct, by a miner named Caples, who states that he reached the sea at Martin’s Bay in March last. From the statement which accompanies this sketch, Mr. Caples appears to have kept on the mountain ridges, and to have followed routes that were unnecessarily difficult, and never to have entertained the idea that an easily practicable one existed; he however displayed extraordinary energy and perseverance to accomplish what he did, and I take the liberty of referring to these circumstances, as I think that every credit is due to him, for being the first to give any account of this previously unknown district. By comparing his sketch I recognise his McKerrow Lake as being the Kakapo Lake, and his Hollyford River and Pike’s Creek as corresponding respectively to the Kakapo River and the Wawaihiwuk Creek, mentioned in the foregoing narrative.

Until I finally return with the schooner, and have had leisure to examine the collections, I shall refrain from giving any particular account of the Geology of the Western district, but I may mention that the indications are much more favorable for the occurrence of valuable mineral lodes, than in any of the country more to the Eastward; and it is not improbable that a belt of mineral ground similar to that which occurs in the Province of Nelson, may also be found at various points along the Coast. Although the gold-bearing rocks are to be met with at various points, I do not expect that any extensive auriferous deposits will be worked in the district I have examined, as the physical structure of the country is widely different from that of any gold-producing country I am acquainted with. The district, however, which holds out most promise, will be in the neighborhood of the Waiana Valley, and perhaps for some distance north and south of it, among the lower ranges which lie between the sea coast and the lofty mountains.

During the whole time of the Expedition, meteorological observations have been regularly made, and are still being continued at six-hourly intervals by my assistant, Mr Williams, so that there will exist abundant materials for making a comparison of the climate of the East and West Coast for the period during which we have been out.

So far as they have gone, the following abstract of these observations tends to show that, with nearly the same atmospheric pressure as on the East Coast, the mean temperature on the West is considerably higher and without such an excess of moisture in the air as might reasonably have been expected:—

May to September, 1863. Dunedin. West Coast.

Mean atmospheric pressure ... 29.889 ... 29.879 inches

Mean temperature ... 44.1 ... 49.3 Fah.

Mean amount of moisture: Sat. = 100 ... 68.2 ... 73.7

Mean elastic force of vapour ... .283 ... .298 inches

A large collection has been formed of rock and mineral specimens, birds and marine animals, and of the various kinds and qualities of the timber found on the coast.

The season was unfavorable for making botanical collections; but I now take back with me Mr Buchanan, the botanical collector for the survey, and during the next few spring months, I have no doubt a most valuable and exhaustive gathering will be made.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

James Hector,

Provincial Geologist.

NARRATIVE REFERRED TO.

On the 20th March last, I represented to his Honor the Superintendent, that I was desirous of extending the Geological Survey of this Province, which is in progress into the West Coast district during the following winter, and suggested that a small sailing vessel should be placed at my disposal for that purpose. My proposal was willingly acceded to, and the necessary arrangements were placed under the care of the Harbor Master Captain Thomson, and with his approval a schooner-rigged yacht called the Matilda Hayes of 20 tons register was selected for the service. This small craft was chosen in preference to a vessel of larger size, as it would be more manageable in the intricate Sounds on the West Coast, and in case of necessity could be easily towed, or even pulled with sweeps.

The date fixed for the starting of the expedition was the 7th of May, by which time the yacht was thoroughly refitted at Port Chalmers, and her limited accommodation turned to such good account, that she was able to carry without crowding—nine persons with provisions for five or six months.

A light whale boat was also built for the service at Port Chalmers, twenty-one feet in length, so that it could be taken on the deck of the schooner. In order to render this boat more secure, it was fitted up with airtight metallic casings, and a cork stuffed fender around the gunwale, in the same manner as a life-boat.

Various causes delayed the completion of the outfit until Saturday, the 16th day of May.