852 Transactions. — Geology. 
and rises within a stone’s throw of that river. However, an examination 
of the structure of the mountains forming the gorge shows that the river 
has cut down an old anticline, a task not so stupendous as might at first be 
supposed. That the erosion of this gigantic anticline has been attended 
by very momentous consequences is not difficult to conceive, when we 
remember that at one time it was the sole support of the inner sides of the 
synclines now forming the ranges on both sides of the river. 
On the 14th we proceeded up the Wairau to Island Saddle, 4,100 feet 
high, and thence down the Serpentine to the Clarence River. It was from 
this point, looking through Maling’s Pass, that we first obtained a view of 
the snow-clad Spensers. Having crossed the river, we followed down the 
right bank to Dunean's Creek, where we were hospitably entertained by 
Mr. F. A. Thompson, Government Surveyor, engaged in this district on topo- 
graphical and trigonometrical work. 
The next day, the 15th, under the guidance of one of Mr. Thompson’s 
men, we retraced our steps to the junction of the Serpentine, and thence 
followed up the Clarence to Lake Tennyson. At the south end of the lake 
there is a great accumulation of glacier débris, covered with a soft peaty 
deposit, in which the pack-horses frequently bogged, thereby greatly imped- 
ing our progress. 
Leaving Lake Tennyson on our right, we proceeded over Maling’s Pass, 
4,150 feet, into the valley of the Waiau. The aspect of the country had 
now changed. Instead of the bare inhospitable mountains of the Clarence, 
the slopes of the ranges on both sides of the valley were wooded to a height 
of 4,500 feet. Content with our day’s walk, we camped on the large fan of 
Pass Creek. 
Next morning, the 16th, we raised camp and proceeded along the right 
bank of the river, keeping a sharp look-out ahead for Mount Franklin, to 
which we were now rapidly approaching. For some seven miles we travelled 
over a succession of fine grass flats. In this distance several creeks were 
crossed, those from Mounts Enid and Humboldt being the largest. On both 
sides of the valley we noticed many fine waterfalls descending to the river 
below by a series of low falls or cascades. 
The valley now narrowed to a chain or two in width, and, the bush 
closing on the river, we were constrained to turn the horses adrift. From 
this we had to carry our swags on our backs, and now made but slow 
progress. At times we were scrambling through the thick bush or over 
steep shingle slips; at other times we had to take to the river bed, crossing 
and recrossing on the large boulders piled in the channel, and between 
which the water rushed with a deafening noise. Some two hours of this 
