THE GEOLOGY OF NELSON. 
92 
Titaniferous iron, magnetic iron, and garnets—not rubies as 
generally thought—are everywhere found on the river diggings 
of the Province. It must be left to the energy of future 
explorers to determine if there be not, as it is most probable 
there is, a similar gold-field as the Aorere gold-field, hidden 
under the dense forests on the eastern slope of the ranges. 
Wangapeka .—With a view to exploring the country lying to 
the south of the Takaka, on the eastern side of the gold-bearing 
formations, I made a journey to the Wangapeka. My guide 
to that country, most difficult of access, was Mr. Clarke, who 
had formerly been prospecting there for gold. On this occa¬ 
sion I had the pleasure of the company of the Superintendent. 
The Wangapeka, as large if not larger than the Motueka, near 
its junction with the Sherry Eiver, runs through a wide terraced 
valley. 
The hills bordering the valley are composed of tertiary 
strata, marl, sandstone, and limestone. At places on the sides 
of the valley, granitic rocks show themselves as the foundation 
of the tertiary strata. The boulders and shingle brought by 
the river from the deep gorge, through which it enters the 
broad valley, prove, on examination, that the river takes its 
origin in a zone of hornblende-schists, and crystalline lime¬ 
stone, the continuation of the formations between Takaka and 
Eiwaka. There is therefore no reason to expect an auriferous 
river-bed. 1 might here mention that this valley seems the 
peculiar home of wild pigs, the immense number of which have 
rooted up the whole surface. The wet weather we experienced 
prevented my exploring those rivers which take their rise 
further westward, in the mica-slate and clay-slate ranges as X 
expect, as, for instance, the Batten Eiver and its branches. It 
was here that Mr. Clarke found the best result of his prospect¬ 
ing expedition. He found not only gold, but, on the edges of 
the tertiary formation towards the crystalline ranges, large 
seams of coal cropping out. 
As a very probable gold country, I should recommend the 
exploring of the high range situated between the sources of 
the Wangapeka and the gorge of the Buller. That range is, so 
far as I can judge, the continuation of the Mount Arthur, 
Anatoki, and Haupiri ranges. 
I shall hereafter find an opportunity to remark upon the 
