99 
A very interesting part of the country , in the vicinity of Auck- 
land , still remained to be explored , viz. Cape Colville peninsula on 
the eastern coast of the Ilauraki Gulf. The discovery of gold, in 
the neighbourhood of Coromandel Harbour on said peninsula, had 
created quite a sensation several years ago. Accordingly I availed 
myself of a few pleasant days in the month of June for the pur- 
pose of visiting the Auckland gold held, which , although bearing 
no comparison with the abundant and extensive gold holds of the 
South Island , yet offered much of geological interest. An intended 
visit to the copper mines of Great Barrier Island and of the Island 
Kawau , was , I am sorry to say , frustrated by inclement weather. 
Thus my stay in the Province of Auckland was fast drawing 
to a close. Previous to my departure , at the request of the mem- 
bers of the Mechanics’ Institute, 1 delivered in their hall , on the 
24 lh of June, a lecture on the geology of the province, in which 
I presented a collective view of the chief results of my researches, 
illustrating the same by means of maps , plans drawings and photo- 
graphs then ready, and exhibited at the occasion. 1 The arranging 
and packing of the collections, and the drawing of maps delayed my 
departure a few weeks longer ; and that period of labour was followed 
by a pleasant time of social amusement and festive demonstrations up 
to my taking a final leave of the people of Auckland. Thousands of 
tokens of New Zealand were in my possession ; my collections con- 
sisted of all sorts of lasting mementos of the forests and mountains 
of New Zealand; and it also became my pleasant duty to have to 
tender my warmest thanks the amiable inhabitants of Auckland for a 
special memorial of their kindness and generosity. On the 24 th of July, 
on a festive occasion , a complimentary address couched in terms but 
too flattering to myself, was delivered to me in the name of the 
people of that province, accompanied by a valuable testimonial. 2 
1 “Lecture on the Geology of the Province of Auckland, New Zealand, de- 
livered to the Members of the Auckland Mechanics’’ Institute, June 24. 1859.” The 
lecture appeared first in the Auckland papers, “New Zealander” and “Southern 
Cross”; afterwards somewhat enlarged in the “Province Govt. Gazette” of Auckland 
No. 14, July 8. 1859; and in the “New Zealand Govt. Gazette” No. 23, July 14. 1859. 
2 See Appendix to Ch. I. 
