80 Historical Notes on the 



be found above the numerous rapids ; higher up, where large boulders 

 lie in the bed of the river and the current is very strong, it is very 

 difficult for the traveller to obtain a firm footing, especially when the 

 river is thick from long continued rain. Many accidents have occurred 

 here, so that the people that had already been drowned in the Teramakau 

 could be counted by dozens. The rocks consist of chertose beds alter- 

 nating with clay slates. It was clear to me directly, that the 

 Terainakau saddle does not lie in the geognostical mountain axis, but 

 several miles east of it. This accounts for the great abundance of 

 water in the Teramakau river, which is formed not only from the moun- 

 tain streams by and near the water shed, but for ten miles receives 

 many tributaries from the left side of the mountain range, the southern 

 declivities of which feed the AYaimakariri flowing to the east coast. A 

 few rather important tributaries also come from the mountain chain 

 situated to the north. As soon as we had reached the broad river 

 valley the bridlepath ended, and in spite of the rain which still con- 

 tinued to fall heavily, we went on much more quickly between the 

 bright green Veronica and Olearia bushes, a pleasing contrast to the 

 darker forest on both sides. These shrubs intermixed with species 

 of Coriaria (Tutu) and Coprosma, cover the islands in the river, which 

 lie beyond the reach of ordinary inundations. Eight miles from the 

 saddle we camped, while the rain continued to pour down in torrents. 

 The rain lasted two days, only clearing up towards noon on 13th April 

 The clouds dispersed and the grand mountain landscape lay before us 

 in all its beauty. The mountains lying opposite to us, about 7000 feet 

 high, were covered for 2000 feet with thick forest, above which sub- 

 alpine shrubs and grass appeared, replaced after another 1000 feet 

 by wild bare rocks. The contrast of shapes and colours formed 

 an indescribably beautiful picture, to the animation of which numbers 

 of waterfalls, often falling several hundred feet, and increased bv the 

 rain, added not a little. A few hours after the rain had ceased the 

 river began to fall, and the next morning had almost returned to its 

 natural bed. YThen we consider that the mountains are very steep, 

 and that the waters have only a proportionally short course, it is easily 

 conceivable that these mountain streams must fall again just as quickly 

 as they rise. The saddle we had crossed a few days before could be 

 distinctly seen, but it appeared higher than when seen from the eastern 

 side. The view to the west was rather extensive, the valley widened 

 out considerably, and seemed to be closed in by a wooded range (the 

 Hohonu ran^), through which the river, deviating a little to the south, 

 had forced its way. AVe were now able to set out again, although the 



