Geological Survey of Carderhury. 57 



On April 15th we reached at last our highest camp in the valley, 

 from which we ascended to the bifurcation of the two main branches, 

 flowing in deep rocky gorges, and forming several fine waterfalls. 

 Here we had to battle for several days with heavy rains, mists, and 

 fogs, before we could accomplish our task, and then retraced our steps, 

 ascending several high peaks on our return march, in order to com- 

 plete my topographical and geological observations. On April 23rd, 

 we were back at our old quarters at Mr. Wilkin's station at the 

 junction of the outlets of both lakes, and left this beautiful spot 

 shortly afterwards, returning by the Lindis Pass to the upper course of 

 the Ahuriri, the fourth and least important main branch of the Waitaki 

 river system. Por several miles above the junction of the Lindis Pass 

 stream, the Ahuriri flows in a deep rocky channel, whilst the broad 

 valley on both sides consists of alluvial deposits; after which we found 

 morainic accumulations of considerable breadth, crossing the valley 

 from side to side. After travelling about two miles, we reached the 

 upper edge of these old frontal moraines, but instead of finding, as 

 usual, a lake formed by them, the whole broad valley for several miles 

 upwards consisted of a huge swamp, through which the river wound 

 its sluggish course, thus showing clearly in what manner all the lakes 

 formed by the deposition of huge moraines across the valleys will 

 gradually be filled up. After a distance of eight miles, another 

 moraine crossing the valley was reached. Five miles higher up, the 

 valley narrowed considerably, the channel of the river became rocky, 

 and broken up in a number of rapids, the Fagus forest ceasing at an 

 altitude of about 3500 feet. "We had now entered into a season in 

 which, amongst the alpine ranges, the winter soon sets in ; 

 and, in fact, the weather became now worse than we had hitherto 

 experienced it. Having reached our highest camp on April 29th, we 

 were unable to move for several days, owing to heavy snowfalls 

 setting in. We were surrounded by a fine winter landscape ; all the 

 flats were covered deeply with snow, the river winding its course like 

 a broad blue ribbon through them, the branches of the dark green 

 beech forest being weighed down by their heavy snow load. The 

 rocky projections of the mountains around us had all disappeared 

 under the white garment, whilst a dull leaden sky hung heavily above 

 all. However, as soon as the weather cleared up, both the topo- 

 graphical and geological surveys of the valley to its sources were, but 

 not without considerable difficulties, accomplished. 



At last we were able to return to lower regions, reaching the 



