4 Historical JS'otes on the 



We followed this opening to the Eangitata, having the snow- 

 covered peaks of the central range before us ; and after descending 

 several hundred feet into the bed of the Eiver Potts where it joins the 

 Eangitata, we crossed that river and reached Mesopotamia, then the 

 sheep station of Mr. Samuel Butler, where I established my head- 

 quarters. Here the valley of the Eangitata is several miles broad, and 

 a number of terraces rise to a considerable altitude one above the other 

 to nearly 3500 feet above the level of the sea, or 1900 feet above the 

 river-bed. Here and there rounded hills, often in the form of sugar 

 loaves, true roches moutonnees, appear amongst them, showing at a 

 glance that this country had once been subjected to the action of ice 

 for a considerable time. During the next week, in order to become 

 acquainted with the geological structure of the country, we explored 

 Butler's and Forest Creeks to their sources, both wild mountain 

 torrents flowing in their upper portion through deep rocky gorges. 

 We also ascended several peaks, of which Mount Sinclair, 7022 feet 

 hio-h, at the head of Forest Creek and the southern termination of 

 Two -thumb Eange offered an extensive and magnificent view. 

 The 'valleys of the Eangitata and Ashburton, with a portion of the 

 -Canterbury plains, and all the ranges to the east, were not only lying 

 as a map before us, but the Southern Alps appeared also in all 

 their sublime grandeur on the opposite side, the noble form 

 of Mount Cook standing prominently above them all. Erom 

 west to north the whole range was visible, reaching from Mount 

 Cook to Mount Tyndall at the head waters of the Godley 

 Eiver ; peak above peak, in bold majestic outlines, all glistening in 

 snow and ice, a sight never to be forgotten. The course of the 

 Godley was also visible, but a long spur concealed Lake Tekapo and 

 the Mackenzie Country from our view. On the 12th of March ? 

 after having finished our preparations, we left Mesopotamia to 

 ascend the Eangitata to its sources. Although the river-bed in 

 these middle Eangitata plains is in most places nearly a mile 

 wide, and the water flows in numerous branches, it is only at very 

 low water that the river can be crossed on foot, and even when the 

 water is not very high, horses find it difficult to bear up against the 

 current. After ten miles travelling over level ground amongst dense 

 scrub, mostly consisting of Discaria toumatoo, the Wild Irishman 

 of the settlers, the junction of the two main branches was reached . 

 I first ascended the southern branch, naming it the Havelock. From 

 this point the river-bed continues for several miles to be more than 

 a mile broad, and only gradually becomes narrower. The scenery 



