202 



current is not so rapid, and its channel is narrow, muddy, and canal-like. 

 Above this it becomes wider and more rapid, with shingle beds, and the banks 

 show gravel deposits, which increase in height as it is ascended, and in the 

 upper course cliffs of 100 feet to 200 feet high, washed by the river, show 

 horizontal well-marked layers of sand, gravel, and clay, with marine shells. 

 These beds preserve their horizontal position until the spurs of the range are 

 approached, when they show a decided dip to the west, in parts. 



Abotit seventy to eighty miles, by the winding course, from its junction 

 with the Manawatu, the Oroua cuts through a spur by a gorge faced by cliffs 

 of rock, about 150 feet high, and nearly perpendicular, and close to here the 

 first hard rock was observed, coming up the course. 



The channel here is full of boulders and rocks, and the run is 

 rapid. Looking through this goi*ge, however, in the direction of the range, the 

 same horizontal strata of sand, gravel, and clay, are again seen in the high 

 river bank ; and it is probable the river extends a long way further into the 

 main range, as its volume here seems cpiite as great as in its lower course, showing, 

 at least, that its main supply comes from the hills surrounding its source in 

 the Ruahine. 



I have not attempted to estimate the quantity of water discharged by 

 these rivers, although an approximation might be made from the estimated 

 rainfall over the areas drained, and allowing for absorption and evaporation ; 

 yet in the absence of observations on the actual volume of the rivers, at 

 different periods of level of water, such an estimate would not be satisfactory, 

 and there are noc yet any observations of the local rainfall on these ranges and 

 extensive table lands. 



The following notes on the route from the Manawatu river to Masterton, 

 through the forty-mile bush, from a journey undertaken by the author in 1868, 

 indicate the nature of this very important track, which might be opened up 

 with a small outlay. 



" November 17th, 1868 — -Left Foxton and rode some twenty miles to Kai- 

 ranga, on the Manawatu river. Left horses here and crossed liver to south 

 bank ; walked four miles over a gradually rising country, and camped at foot 

 of first rise of main range, on the Kahuterawa stream : this is a considerable 

 height above the sea, probably 100 to 200 feet. 



" 18th — Commenced ascent of Tararua range : top of first rise at Tiro- 

 hanga is about 1200 feet above where we left this morning ; goes on level for 

 some way, then a rise of 200 feet more at six and three-quarter miles from 

 the Manawatu, again a rise of 490 feet to summit at Tipakirikiri, which is 

 thus 1800 to 1900 feet above foot of range, at camp this morning. Fine view 

 from here over Tongariro, Manawatu, and Rangitikei country, Ruapehu and 

 some of the Forty-nrile bush. Descended to foot of range, 1440 feet. Thence 

 to Mongahao river, descending 280 feet further, or in all 1700 feet from 

 summit to Forty -mile bush country. From the Manawatu by this track to the 

 Mongahao river is twelve miles, passable for horses ; cut by Mr. Carkeek, 

 Assistant Surveyor, in 1 8 68. The track stops at Mongahao. Diverged down river 

 a little, and took track to Tutaekara clearing and native pa — about four miles. 



" 19th — Followed on the old native track (from Ahuriri to Wairarapa) 

 about four miles to Te Hawero clearing — level country. The track from 

 Manawatu might join here, and there is an old track from here to Alfredtown. 

 Four and a half miles further crossed Mangatainoko river : country level for 

 some distance. At, say, eight and a half miles from Te Hawero track rises 

 on a ridge, about 550 feet, and then falls with a good descent 220 feet. Then 

 across a table-land which I estimate some 1100 feet above the sea. Camped 

 about fourteen and a half miles from Te Hawero. 



