42 Historical Notes on the 



alpine vegetation appears, which again is succeeded by craggy rocks,, 

 snow, and ice. Picturesque waterfalls enliven the scenery, appearing 

 and disappearing "between the dark green vegetation. After we had 

 reached our first camp, about eight miles above the junction of both 

 rivers, the series of fine days hitherto enjoyed came to an end, and 

 rain and stormy weather set in, which kept us for several days in the 

 same camp. Proceeding on our road on the 2nd of May, we found 

 that the valley which for at least 15 miles has a considerable breadth, 

 is filled in several localities by large morainic accumulations, through 

 which the river has cut a gorge, and where we sometimes experienced 

 a difficulty in passing. 



Gradually the mountains became loftier, glaciers of the second order 

 made their appearance on both sides — the forest line gradually 

 descending and ending at 3, ISO feet above the sea level, where sub- 

 alpine vegetation takes its place. Here we camped in the evening. 

 The valley had now narrowed so much that this was the last spot 

 where we could expect to find feed for the horses. During the night 

 it began to snow, but as it cleared up towards morning I ascended the 

 valley to its termination, where I found a glacier of considerable size, 

 which, unlike most glaciers visited during this journey, was very little 

 soiled by debris on its surface. Its terminal face is situated 4,231 feet 

 above the sea level. However the weather was too misty to obtain the 

 necessary bearings to the summits of the glorious alpine chain in front, 

 so that that portion of our task could not be accomplished. Next day 

 the weather was again stormy and showery, but as our provisions were 

 exhausted, we struck the tents to return to Lake Ohau. I regretted 

 this the more as the sedimentary beds in this valley had a somewhat 

 altered appearance, and more resembled some of the auriferous rocks in 

 the Province of Otago, than I had previously seen anywhere in Canter- 

 bur v. Por two days, whilst we travelled down the valley, we ex- 

 perienced a succession of south-westers, with heavy rain — the swollen 

 river giving us not a little trouble to cross. 



On the evening of May 6th we reached the lake, and after crossing 

 the Mackenzie Country, reached Burke's Pass on the 16th May. 

 Some days were devoted to an examination of the sources of the 

 Opuha. after which I returned to Christchurch, where I arrived on the 

 31st May, having been much retarded by a continuance of very bad 

 weather. The beginning of October of the same year (1S62), I pre- 

 sented a Progress Eeport to His Honor the Superintendent which 



