Geological Survey of Canterbury. 157 



action of igneous rocks on brown coal-beds in contact with them can 

 well be studied. Skirting the eastern foot of the ranges, I first visited 

 the Northern Ashburton, ascending it to near its sources ; after which 

 a week was devoted to an exploration of the Orari. Crossing by 

 Tripp's Saddle into the Upper Opuhi plains, this river and the Opihi 

 were both examined, and the occurrence of valuable seams of brown 

 coal ascertained. I next proceeded to the Pareora, where I remained 

 for several days occupied with studying the instructive geological 

 features of the district. After having visited the Waihao, I ascended 

 the Waitaki along its northern banks to the junction of the 

 Hakateramea. This little river, which I followed to near its sources, 

 was particularly interesting to me, the auriferous rocks of Otago 

 being developed to a considerable extent on its left banks. End of 

 January, 1868, 1 returned to Christchurch. 



G-EOLoaicAL Examination oe Banks Peninsula, 1868. 



During the month of Eebruary the Geological Survey of this 

 isolated volcanic system was continued. Several of the highest 

 summits were ascended, and the complex structure of this zone, which, 

 as I advanced, continually presented new and instructive features, was 

 studied, the details of which will be given in the Geological portion of 

 this Eeport. 



JoiTENEY TO THE SOUTHEEN POETION OE "WESTLAND, 1868. 



Although for some time past the western portion of the Canter- 

 bury Province had been separated and formed into a County, under 

 the name of Westland, I did not wish to hand over my maps and 

 sections to the Provincial Government without having first paid a visit 

 to the southern part of that district, with which I was still 

 unacquainted. 1 had already fixed all the principal peaks in the 

 central chain from the eastern side, as well as from my last station at 

 the mouth of the Eiver Waiau, some important bearings having also 

 been obtained from the mouth of the Haast river ; but there were 

 many details which I wished to obtain and thus to make my map 

 more complete than it would otherwise have been. Having been 

 informed that the steamer Bruce would leave Hokitika beginning of 

 March for Okarito, I left Christchurch on March the 3rd. Shortly after 

 my arrival in Hokitika the steamer left and landed me early on the 



