418 Transactions, — Geology. 



language of the 8th and 9th paragraphs above quoted, although in the latter 

 lie certainly mentioned *^ plains," the formation of which, however, had not even 

 commenced at that time, if we are to rely upon the statements in paragraphs 

 numbered 3 and 12. 



But before proceeding with the more full consideration of the suggested 

 glaciation, I propose to deal with the first and second propositions above 

 stated. In doing so, following in this respect the course adopted by Dr. 

 Haast himself, and giving him the advantage, for the present, of leaving the 

 North Island altogether out of the discussion, I intend to limit myself to a 

 consideration of the physical features of that part of the South Island which is 

 comprehended within the original boundaries of the Province of Canterbury, 

 for it will have been noted that, although Dr. Haast speaks of his supposed 

 glaciation as having involved the whole of New Zealand, his report does not 

 contain a single reference to any part of it outside of the special district above 

 mentioned. 



Now, a glance at any map of the South Island, indicating its political 

 divisions in 1864, will show that the district referred to is traversed from 

 north, to south by the central portion of the great mountain range whicli 

 occupies the western side of the island, and that near the southern extremity 

 of the district this range culminates in Mount Cook, estimated at upwards of 

 13,000 feet in height, whilst it has, otherwise, an average general elevation of 

 from 8000 to 9000 feet. At the distance of about thirty-five miles to the eastward 

 from the foot of this main range is Banks Peninsula, a volcanic mass, stretching 

 from west to east some thirty miles, with an average breadth of thirteen to 

 fourteen miles, its highest summit being, I believe, 2800 feet above sea level, 

 whilst the average general elevation does not exceed 1 800 feet. This mass of 

 hills contains numerous bays, inside of which the slopes are usually very steep, 

 constantly presenting abrupt escarpments. 



Stretching from Timaru in the south to Double Corner in the north, a 

 distance of about 130 miles, interrupted only at its junction north and south 

 with the western end of Banks Peninsula, we find a low coast line, between 

 which and the base of the great mountain chain lie the Canterbury plains, 

 which rise gradually from sea level until they reach, at the foot of the 

 mountains, an elevation varying from 800 to 1000 feet — in this respect 

 presenting very much the character of the talus-like plains of Chili, as 

 described by Mr. Darwin in his notes on the geology of South America. 

 Traversing these plains from west to east are five large rivers, named the 

 Bangitata, Ashburton, Rakaia, Waimakariri, and Ashley, which, with their 

 tributaries within the range, efiect the entire drainage of the eastern side of 

 the main chain for a length of about 150 miles, their falls, for the greater part 

 of the distance through the plains, averaging twenty -eight feet per mile. 



