18 
DESCRIPTIVE NARRATIVE OF .TOURNEY. 
The next day, in lieu of the river falling, heavy rain descended, 
which of course delayed our crossing; so, not knowing how long 
we might he detained here, and seeing that our provisions were 
rapidly diminishing, I determined to send hack part ol my men 
and move forward with the remainder. I selected those who 
could swim, sending three hack to Nelson, so that (besides Mr. 
Burnett) only Frederick Beckmann, William Hunter, and the 
native, Bichard Kemp, remained with me. I gave orders again to 
wash for gold, and every dishfull of dirt yielded some specks. 
The next day being fine, I crossed the river by swimming, and, 
following the northern bank downwards, soon came upon Mr. 
Mackay’s track. In the meantime I had sent the native down 
the river on the side on which Ave had camped, to search for a 
ford. He returned in the afternoon, telling us that he had found 
a capital ford a mile lower down, which, notwithstanding the 
swollen state of the river, had taken him only to his hips. We 
at once struck our tent, and followed him to the crossing place, 
at which we pitched it again. Whilst the men were engaged in 
doing so, I tried the ford and found it practicable. 
The next day, the 23rd of February, after crossing the river, 
we continued our way on its northern bank for ti\ r o miles through 
grass and manuka. The view southwards, up the Mataki-taki 
valley, Avas very picturesque. This valley is from two to three 
miles wide, and has on both sides densely Avooded hills, over 
which, on the south-western side, a high rocky mountain chain 
appeared. Two miles east from the entrance of the Mntiri, oppo¬ 
site the entrance of the Mataki-taki, a terrace covered with forest 
begins, and here A\ r e found a ford, at which Mr. Mhckay had 
crossed. J 
I left my party, whom I ordered to try and cross the Buller 
which was still very high, by this ford. Mr. Burnett and I went 
doAyn to the junction with the Matiri, the waters of which were 
high, and of a dirty yellowish colour. We followed up the stream 
tor a few miles, in order to examine its course, and the available 
land upon its banks, &c. On our return I found that two of mv 
men, who had tried the fords, had found them impracticable with¬ 
out swimming, which was impossible with our heavy loads. 
le southern side of the Buller consisting of level land I did 
not see Avhy we should not continue on that side, and I imLdned 
r.Mackay and his party had only crossed and travelled on the 
northern side, m order to profit by some open land- and in this 
opinion I was afterwards confirmed. We therefore ’ returned to 
the place whence we had started in the morning crossed the river 
again and made our way by the southern bank. I must confess 
that I felt very tired after this dav’s ionrn^r -n, f u • , 
rr°r, d i°K a ioad ° f oZ? 
it almost broke me down and T fi q r l + k ° v UdCK > 
in order not to remain behind. Explori “ 
