1 88 Voijage of the Novara. 



flattering, with an addi^ess,* accompanied by h.n elegant and 

 valuable testimonial. 



" Unfortunately, owing to want of time, I could not re- 

 spond to the cordial invitation extended to me to make a 

 lengthened stay, accompanied by further surveys of Welling- 

 ton and New Plymouth (Province of Taranaki), and Ahuhiri 

 (Province of Hawke's Bay). So, too, I was compelled grate- 

 fully to decline a kind invitation from the Governor to ac- 

 company him on an expedition to the Southern Island, on 

 board H. M.'s frigate Iris^ preferring to accept a previous 

 invitation from the Superintendent of the Province of Nelson, 

 as a visit to Middle Island seemed of special importance, 

 however short my stay. It not alone satisfied me of the 

 justice of the name assigned to Nelson, of being the ' Garden 

 of New Zealand,' but also kept me fully occupied in examin- 

 ing its variety of mineral treasures, such as copper, gold, 

 coal, &c., which have made the province the chief mineral 

 and metalliferous district of New Zealand. And how was it 

 possible for me to come back to Europe without having seen 

 the splendid chain of the Southern Alps, and their summits 

 crowned with perpetual snow ? 



'' Accordingly, on 28th July, I embarked on board the 

 steamer Lord Ashlefj, bound for Cook's Straits. The voyage 

 gave me the opportmiity, as the vessel called at Nelson and 

 Wellington both (anchoring at the latter), before entering 



* See Appendix V, 



