34 
BRANCH OF THE HUTT. 
nothing remarkable in it, the substrata consisting 
only of a kind of pipe clay. 
June 25. — Upon starting this morning we traversed 
a succession of fine open and very grassy plains, from 
which we ascended the low ridges forming the divi- 
sion of the waters to the north and south. In 
the latter direction, we had left the heads of the 
“ Gilbert” and “ Wakefield” chains of ponds, whilst 
in descending in the former we came upon the 
“ Hill,” a fine chain of ponds taking its course 
through a very extensive and grassy valley, but 
with little timber of any kind growing near it. On 
this account I crossed it, and passing on a little 
farther encamped the party on a branch of the 
“ Hutt,” and within a mile and a half of the main 
course of that chain of ponds. Our whole route 
to-day, had been through a fine and valuable grazing 
district, with grass of an excellent description, and 
of great luxuriance. 
We were now nearly opposite to the most north- 
erly of the out stations, and after seeing the party 
encamp, I proceeded, accompanied by Mr. Scott, 
to search for the stations for the purpose of saying 
good bye to a few more of my friends. We had not 
long, however, left the encampment when it began to 
rain and drove us back to the tents, effectually defeat- 
ing the object with which we had commenced our 
walk. Heavy rain was apparently falling to the 
westward of us, and the night set in dark and 
lowering. 
