178 Physical Geography of 



the sea. However, this continuity is broken near Mount Holmes at 

 the head of the Hopkins river, where the Southern Alps divide into 

 two chains of equal magnitude, f ormiug a large basin in which all the 

 principal branches of the Haast river flow. Having obtained a length 

 of forty miles, these two alpine ranges reunite on the western side of 

 Haast's Pass in Mount Kinross, after which they continue without 

 intermission as a single chain to Mount Aspiring. 



Beginning our examination at the northern boundary of the 

 Province, we observe, as already pointed out, that the Teramakau, the 

 western river near that boundary, here advances far east of the 

 geological axis of the chain. This river has its sources near a saddle — 

 the so-called Harper's or Hurunui Pass, 3150 feet high. Prom here a 

 chain of an average altitude of 7000 feet has a west-south-west 

 direction till it joins Mount Eolleston, where the geological main' axis 

 of the chain is reached. This range is generally wooded on both its 

 lower slopes, very luxuriantly on the Teramakau side ; whilst on the 

 southern or "VTaimakariri side, only open beech forest grows. The 

 range close to the Hurunui Pass, divided by a deep saddle, is formed 

 of Snowcap Peak and Mount McCrae ; wild rocky ranges, where 

 several branches of the Teramakau, Hurunui, and Wairnakariri take 

 their rise. Mount McCrae is separated from Mount Pranklin by 

 Walker's Pass — according to Mr. E. Dobson, 3619 feet high — leading 

 from the Hawdon river (AVaimahariri) into the Otihaki river (Tera- 

 makau). It is described as difficult of access, and with very 

 precipitous slopes. Between Mount Franklin and Mount Williams, 

 the next peak to the west, we find a similar Pass, named Groats' Pass 



surrounding peaks and other peculiar features of the country. On the west coast I tried to use the 

 coast line as base line for fixing the orographical features, but found in several instances, when filing 

 prominent peaks in the Southern Alps proper, that the results did not correspond. This discrepancy 

 was sometimes so considerable, that I was obliged to rely entirely upon the bearings obtained on the 

 eastern side. Since this map has been constructed I have been informed thnt the Colonial Xlarine 

 Survey has found some serious errors both in latitude and longitude in that portion of the coast-line 

 situated between Jackson's Bay and the mouth of the Eiver Grey, which may account for the different 

 results alluded to. Owing to the rugged and precipitous character of the western side of the ranges, 

 the difficulty of obtaining provisions, the matted and almost impenetrable nature of the forest 

 vegetation, covering the lower portions of the mountainsides, the wild and impassable mountain 

 torrents, as well as from want of time, I was unable to obtain such good and exhaustive sets of 

 bearings as I had anticipated. Thus I was only permitted to ascend a few of the western rivers to 

 their glacier sources : in some other cases I obtained only a limited number of bearings, and in a few 

 instances I had to fill up some portions of the map from eye sketches ; but nevertheless, I may state 

 my conviction, .hat it will be found that none of the more important features have been overlooked by 

 me. when future explorers in years to come may have more leisure at their co mma nd, and less 

 difficulties to contend with, than I had during the eight years I devoted to researches into the geology 

 and physical geography of this portion of Xew Zealand. 



