83

WEDNESDAY, 11th MARCH.

Left Kikiorangi at 8 a.m.; crossed the river and followed up a good blazed track
for about two miles, through a rolling country covered with light timber, chiefly
Tawa. To the south-west of this track, there is a large extent of rolling country
intersected with small streams.

At this point the native guides informed us they knew no more of the country, so
we had to find our way as best we could. We decided to take up a spur to the left of
our track, thinking it might lead to Kapo-Kaponui. After getting about two thirds up
this spur (1200 feet above the sea) the rain began to fall, so we pitched camp at 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, 12th MARCH.

The weather continued dull. Struck camp at nine a.m., and arrived on top of range
at a little after ten o'clock, and found the Kapo-Kaponui was some three and a-half
miles to the N.E.

Followed along ridge for some distance, then took down a spur, arriving at the
head of valley on the Hutt side of range about noon. Rain began to fall steadily from
the S.E.; we therefore pitched camp (No. 8) and made this our head quarters for a day
or two.

This camp is 610 feet above sea level. Our object in remaining at this place was
to thoroughly explore the watershed for the purpose of finding the lowest saddle for the
proposed line of road.

FRIDAY, 13th MARCH.

Weather dull. The Natives being of no further use we decided to send them back
to Waikanae. Having served them out sufficient rations to take them back we started
them off about nine a.m. Barton, Cruickshank, and myself started up the range at the
same time.

We took the whole day in thoroughly exploring the dividing range and taking the
height of all the saddles. The two principal ones are shown on accompanying sketch,
viz., No. 1, 1140 feet, and No. 2, 1160 feet above the level of the sea. The Takatara-
wana River takes its rise below saddle No. 1, but a gorge prevents any road in that
direction. We therefore decided to take the road over No. 2 saddle, it affording the
best and most direct line. This part of the country is very broken, although the land is
good; the timber consisting of rata, birch, and a few pines. We returned to camp
about dusk.

SATURDAY, 14th MARCH.

Rain coming down steadily all the morning; about eleven a.m. it held up for a
short time but came on again, so we were compelled to remain until next morning.

SUNDAY, 15th MARCH.

We were up early, packed our traps, put a fire in tent to dry it, breakfasted, and
by eight a.m. started down valley. After travelling down the stream upon which we
had camped for about one mile, we came to the main river (Takatarawana) at a point
marked A on sketch.

From this point the valley opens out, varying from half-a-mile to one mile in width,
the nature of the land being light alluvial soil, covered with rimu, matahi, and white
pine, as far as a point B on accompanying sketch.

From this point down to a point C the river is confined within a gorge, the sides
rising perpendicularly to a height of 100 feet to 150 feet, terminating in a terrace, upon
which the line of road could be taken.

From C to a point F the valley opens out again, the soil being light and alluvial;
the timber consisting of totara, rimu, matahi, and white pine.

From E to F there is a small gorge, about half-a-mile in length. The sides of hills
are covered with black birch timber, the soil being of a clayey nature. At seven p.m.
we arrived at Mr. Cruickshank's farm, not sorry to be at the end of our journey, as we
had travelled down the bed of the river since leaving our camp in the morning, being
frequently up to our middles in water.

Mr. Barton and myself are both of opinion that a good line of road can be obtained
from the Mungaroa to Waikanae, with a grade of not more than one foot in seventy in
the worst parts, and that there are no engineering difficulties in the way. The line of
road as proposed is indicated on accompanying sketch by a dotted brown line.

On either side of proposed road there is a large extent of country suitable for
settlement, consisting of flat, undulating, and hill land.

It may, perhaps, not be out of place to mention that I noticed a number of quartz
reefs cropping out in the bed of the Takatarawana River. In one place a slip had laid
bare a large face of slate rock of a very dark color, surrounded by a blue clay. I make
these observations as the indications may lead to a more scientific investigation.