112 Historical Notes on the 



East of Woodstock — a small mining township — the road traverses a 

 fine pine forest, which presented some difficulties for the passage of 

 the pack-horses. "We crossed the river at what was called the " long 

 ford " — easily passed by horses, a boat being in readiness for foot 

 passengers. Thence, we followed the river to the junction of the 

 Kokatahi, passing over low sandy ground, either flood channels or low 

 terraces covered with Olearia, Veronica, Coriaria, Leptospermum, and 

 similar shrub vegetation growing along river-beds. From here to the 

 junction of the Styx the track passes for about eight miles through 

 level country, called Sherrin's Eun. Over the whole, small groves of 

 shrubs of the same character grow, with numerous patches of grass 

 between them, intersected by small water-courses. A number of 

 ISTew Zealand quail (Coturnix Novce Zealaiidice) rose before us, having 

 till then been very little disturbed, but I understand they have long 

 since become exterminated in that locality, as well as almost every- 

 where else in New Zealand. 



The same evening we camped near the entrance of the Styx valley 

 into the Hokitika plains, and had a magnificent view of the high 

 ranges before us, of which the summits were still deeply covered with 

 snow, whilst the numerous sugarloaf-like hills in the foreground told 

 distinctly the history of the district. Entering next morning the 

 valley of the Styx, now flowing between the ranges, numerous natural 

 sections made me well acquainted with the geology of the district. The 

 path leads for several miles along or in the river-bed, where we had 

 to cross and re -cross, which was rather unpleasant, owing to the large 

 boulders and the swift current ; we then reached a bridle-path, cut on 

 the left bank through the forest, where travelling was comparatively 

 easy. We now crossed a huge moraine, stretching across the valley, 

 and consisting principally of enormous blocks, representing all the 

 rocks which form the summits of the Southern Alps. After a few miles, 

 we had repeatedly to cross the river, now assuming the character of a 

 mountain torrent. The fords were deep and rocky, with large blocks 

 to pass over. The evening setting in, we camped in a small gully, 

 where, owing to the altitude now reached, the black beech {Fagus 

 fusca. Hook, f.) was now the predominent tree. Starting with fine 

 weather from the Hokitika plains, after advancing a few miles into the 

 valley, rain and sleet began to fall, and continued with little inter- 

 mission till next morning, when we started again to reach the 

 " Wooded Saddle." The valley gradually lost its gorge-like character, 

 and opened up, leading us to a small grassy flat, 1800 feet above the 

 sea level, on which Ranunculus Lyallii stood in full flower. 



