842 Transactions,—Geology. 
Some years ago I endeavoured to point out that Port Nicholson had 
formerly been a fresh-water lake. Does not the occurrence of these pebbles 
support that theory, supply direct evidence of lacustrine deposit which I 
previously admitted we had not found, and show that the boundaries of the 
lake were far outside those of the present harbour ? 
I have reason to suppose that there are deposits of gravel high up on 
the hills surrounding Port Nicholson. These may show the margin of the 
ancient lake, while the sparsely deposited pebbles may show where these 
were gradually distributed by waves or currents over the lake bottom. 
The theory involves great movements in the land, and a great sinking 
in the direction of the Straits, but I do not see any other way out of the 
difficulty. 
To obtain further proof of lacustrine deposit may be difficult, and will at 
all events take much time. Should these deposits occur in the harbour 
they must be overlaid by those of marine origin, and could only be found by 
boring, but there are strata at Karori and Johnsonville, etc., lying on the 
old rocks, which it might be well to study to see whether they are lacustrine 
or marine. The talus on which that part of Wellington called Thorndon is 
built might also yield some information, as also the lower parts of Te Aro. 
Art. XLV.—On Changes in the Hataitai Valley. 
By James Courrs CRAWFORD. 
{Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 9th July, 1884.) 
As I am rapidly bringing the Hataitai Valley into cultivation, and thereby 
destroying geological landmarks, it may be as well to put on record what 
will soon be lost to the eye. At present I refer particularly to the old 
forest which at one time filled the valley, and whose stumps and logs are 
apt to smash my ploughs. Doubtless the hills also were at one time 
covered by forest, but all traces of this seem to have long ago disappeared. 
There are a series of sea-formed lakes, detached rocks, ete., showing a 
depression of the land to the extent of about fifteen feet. This is the point 
at which I propose to commence, as it would be desirable to fix some oP 
proximate date for this occurrence. 
The highest level of the land in the Hataitai Valley being now about 
14 feet, it is evident that a depression of 15 feet would entirely submerge it. 
We therefore find the valley to be filled with strata of sand and gravel, the 
latter generally underneath, but also occurring in bars at various points ; 
* Geology of Otago, by Hutton and Ulrich, Dunedin, 1875, p. 40. 
