138 



Transactions. 



above described, the rocks of the central chain have been subject to 

 a variety of upheavals and dislocations which have resulted in the for- 

 mation of a system of valleys, the direction of which is very remarkable ; 

 the principal valleys, from the Taramakau on the north to the Makarora 

 on the south, radiating from a common centre situated about fifty miles 

 to the north of Mount Darwin. It might naturally be imagined that these 

 valleys would form passes through the dividing range, but such is not the 

 case, as, with the exception of the Hurunui Valley, they do not extend 

 through the western portion of the chain, but terminate in glaciers or are 

 boimded by high rugged precipices, as is shown in the sketch of the range 

 at the head of the Waimakariri." 



10 b 



MHH HM 



/.tn^s of eaJ^Jt f'ttcture or rnHiriff ff ^^. 



Sketch-map of Canterbtjby, showing Chieb' Lines of Fault of Tertiaby Beds. 



The fact that the passes through the range do not accommodate them- 

 selves as they should renders it extremely doubtful if the existence of a 

 series of great earth-fractures can be postulated to explain the orientation 

 of the valleys. The middle portion of the valleys occupied by the great 

 lakes of Canterbury — viz., Sumner, Coleridge, Tekapo, Pukaki, and Ohau 

 — do correspond with the arrangement indicated by Dobson. Again, 

 though several of the valleys seem to accommodate themselves naturally 



