WEKA PASS ROCK-PAINTINGS. Ly 
little limestone gorge, almost subterranean. A wandering party 
chancing to come within “ cooey” of him were drawn to the spot, 
and recognising at once the fitness of time and place, seized the 
opportunity to bathe. The clear little stream, winding between 
precipitous cliffs some 30 or 40 feet high, clothed here and there 
with bushes, though in some places scarcely five feet apart, 
formed deep and limpid pools, inviting a plunge. Quickly 
stripping, we frolicked in the wave, whilst “our artist” sketched 
the varied aspect of the gorge. One of the party incautiously 
venturing to the outlet, found himself on his return to the inn 
exhibited in the sketch book under the form of Venus Anadyo- 
mene, an unwonted character, though familiar enough, perhaps, 
in the classical studies to which he is addicted. 
Returning to the inn and recruiting exhausted nature with 
lunch, we remounted our coach and returned to Amberley. The 
evening train carried us back to Christchurch, which we reached at 
eight in the evening. I think it was thefeelingof every one of about 
the party that the trip from first to last had been successful. We 
had been favoured with weather so perfect that it could not be 
surpassed ; we had found civility and comfort everywhere ; we 
had seen what we went up to see, and had been satisfied ; and I 
believe that there was a unanimous opinion amongst us that no 
hitch of any kind had occurred to mar the enjoyment of our two 
days’ excursion. 
It remains to indicate briefly the conclusions to which our 
examination of the Rock-paintings led us, collectively or individu- 
ally. It may be well first to give a concise summary of the 
theories which, as far as I am aware, have been formed concern- 
ing them. 
Ist. The Maories attribute them toa mythical anterior race— 
Negapuhi, according to Dr. von Haast; Te Kahui Tipua, 
according to the Rev. Mr. Stack (Trans. Vol. X). 
2nd, Dr von Haast inclines to the belief that they are the work 
of shipwrecked Indian sailors serving as slaves among the 
primeval savages anterior to the Maori arrival here (/0). 
3rd. The Rev. Mr. Pargiter, of Ceylon, traces a similarity between 
the paintings and ancient Tamil characters (/d). 
4th. Mr. Mackenzie Cameron, of Sydney, ascribes them to Budd- 
hist missionaries desirous of propagating their faith (Trans, 
Vol. XI). 
5th. The settlers generally appear to have an idea that they are 
the work of Europeans, idle shepherds or shearers daubing 
the rock with the raddle intended for their masters’ sheep. 
6th. One or two persons (Europeans) have asserted that they are 
the actual authors of the designs. 
Clearly there is a wide range for choice here, between the 
mythical Ngapuhi and the nineteenth century shearer ; and, with 
the exception of the 6th, it is evident that all the opinions ex- 
pressed have not gone beyond the domain of pure theory. 
As far as our own views are concerned, I may at once elimi- 
