THE GEOLOGY OF NELSON. 
105 
It is well known that the high peaks of the Kaikoras, covered 
with perpetual snow, are of volcanic origin. My friend Haast 
describes the aspect of the three gigantic cones visible from 
the Awatere valley as most magnificent — three Mount 
Egmonts, one behind the other ; the first one, Tapuaenuku 
(or Mount Odin), 9,700 feet high, a closed and rounded dome 
similar in shape to a cupola ; the second one, further to the 
south, a truncated-bifurcated cone, the bifurcation undoubtedly 
the indication of a crater on the summit. From that peculiar 
form it has acquired the common name of the “ Nest Moun¬ 
tain and the third gigantic peak, pyramidical in form like 
Mount Egmont. Almost equal in height to those landward 
Kaikoras is the lofty range which rises on the seaward side of 
the Clarence Elver, the principal points of which have been 
named Mount Thor and Mount Ereya. Around these just 
mentioned Scandinavian monarchs of the mass, are ranged 
several smaller volcanic mountains, which I hope may have a 
right to maintain their Maori names. 
It is not at all surprising that accounts have been received 
of newly-discovered hot springs in this volcanic region, in the 
Ilanmer Plains, # at the foot of the Kaikoras. 
Specimens forwarded to me by gentlemen, some from the 
Kaikoras, and some boulders from the Awatere, prove that the 
principal rocks in this district are basaltic and trachytic lavas. 
Poll owing the southerly direction indicated by the relative 
position of the two Kaikora groups, we come next to Banks 
Peninsula, undoubtedly an extinct volcanic system, rising like 
an island out from the sea and level plains. 
* At tliis house (Top-house), I met some gentlemen, newly arrived, 
and stopped on their road by the river. One had made the journey from 
Port Cooper, and he gave me an account of hot springs which lie had 
discovered on the ITanmer Plains, under the shelter of a range of snow 
hills. He observed what seemed to him a remarkable fog, and, upon 
leaving his track to examine, he discovered some holes, which weie hllcd 
with water of a temperature varying from milk-warm to almost boiling. 
The largest of them contained the hottest spring, and although lie 
attempted to sound the depth with all the rope he could procure, he was 
unable to find the bottom. The circumference of the largest was about 
fifteen or eighteen yards. This is, I believe, the only instance of hot 
springs yet discovered in the Middle Island, and, if corroborated, lliay 
tend to throw some light on the volcanic connection between this district 
and the Northern Island.— c ‘ A Walk from the Wairau, ’ from the A chon 
Examiner , May 25, 1859, 
ii 2 
