110 Historical Notes on the 



tractor for the work on the northern side of the Pass. In descending, 

 several conspicuous additions to the vegetation observed on the 

 southern face of the Pass were met with, of which the Rata (Metro- 

 sideros lucida Jfenzies) forms the greatest ornament to the landscape, 

 principally about Christmas time, when the whole mountain side, as 

 seen from above, appears as one mass of bright scarlet flowers. In 

 this camp we also met Dr. Stedman, who had been sent here by the 

 Provincial Grovernment to attend professionally, in case of accident or 

 illness, amongst the numerous men at work upon these large and 

 extensive works. I was now obliged to leave my dog-cart — the first 

 which had ever crossed the Southern Alps — behind me, and continued 

 my journey next day, packing my provisions and camp utensils. 

 Descending into the gorge of the Orira, a wild alpine torrent, where we 

 crossed over several newly constructed bridges, the magnificent scenery 

 around us could not fail to make the deepest impression upon me, and 

 which lust nothing of its glorious character by my having travelled 

 shortly before amongst the highest mountains of the Southern Alps. 

 The steepness of the mountains on both sides forming the gorge, the 

 constant alternation between rocky precipices and luxuriant forest, 

 large trees growing amongst perpendicular cliffs, wherever thin roots 

 could penetrate, numerous small but charming cascades descending 

 from both sides ; below, the roaring mountain torrent, rushing down 

 amongst huge blocks of rock, by which its passage was impeded ; and 

 above all, the deep blue sky of Xew Zealand — the whole forming a 

 picture of indescribable grandeur and beauty. Numerous gangs of 

 workmen were here occupied with blasting and road-making, and a 

 few shanties, where provisions, fresh meat, and even Christchurch 

 baked bread could be bought, had already been built between the 

 rocky spurs. We were very fortunate in the weather when crossing, 

 as this Pass, like all deep depressions in our alpine chains, is parti- 

 cularly subject to rain. The observations made during the progress 

 of the work showed that, during the whole time there were scarcely 

 three days in the week in which the men could proceed with the work, 

 whilst in some months, the rainy weather was so continuous, that an 

 average of one day and a half only in a week was obtained. 



After four miles of this charming scenery, the valley opened, and 

 we continued our journey over flats, covered with Olearia nitida, 

 and ilicifolia, Veronica sal ici 'folia, Leptospermum, some species of 

 Coprosma, Fanax, and others. Here I had the pleasure of meeting His 

 Honor the Superintendent Mr. Samuel Bealey, and Mr. Edward 



