352 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 Eiver. 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 Duncan'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 debris, 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 bemg 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 



