DESCRIPTIVE NARRATIVE OE JOURNEY. 
3 
bow threw its arch across the lake, and the setting sun gilded 
with deep hues the snow which streaked the serrated peaks of the 
surrounding mountain chains. 
Next morning we began our work by measuring a base line on 
the shores of the lake, following all its curves. On the western 
side this was easy, because the country was open and nearly level, 
but on the northern side we experienced considerable difficulty, 
for here the country consists of small hills, clothed with luxuriant 
vegetation, which completely overhangs the banks of the lake, 
compelling us to wade through the water, and to climb over the 
rocks which lie everywhere on its margin. The lake is almost 
divided into two large basins by a low promontory on its northern 
side. Beyond this promontory the inner lake stretches far to the 
south, between two mountain chains, which contain the sources of 
its principal feeders, whilst its more northerly portion is sur¬ 
rounded by low land, presenting a totally different appearance. 
It is at this latter point that a pass into the Wairau commences ; 
and I then formed an opinion, verified by subsequent investigation 
(as I show in the geological part of this report), that the former 
outlet for the waters of this lake was the valley ot the Wairau. 
Continuing our route, I had an opportunity of admiring, at the 
southern extremity of the inner lake, one of the most magnificent 
views which Alpine nature could present. The long chain trend¬ 
ing towards the south which separates the inner lake from the 
Wairau valley, and whose innumerable wooded spurs slope down 
to the water’s edge, here appears to terminate quite abruptly. 
The lake itself winds between the mountains, becoming gradually 
narrower, until it is lost in a deep gorge; whilst at the extreme 
end of this gorge rises a rugged snow-clad mountain, towering 
above all the surrounding ones, and if possible exceeding them in 
majesty and wild beauty. On th‘e south-western side of the lake 
lies a flat-topped mountain, about 4,700 feet high, the unbroken 
and softer outline of which contrasts agreeably with the rugged 
peaks and serrated summits of the other parts of the chain. I 
had no idea that such a jewel in point of landscape existed so 
near Nelson, and I am sure that the time is not far distant when 
this spot will become the favourite abode and resort of those 
whose means and leisure will permit them to admire picturesque 
and magnificent scenery. 
As the evening was close at hand, we were compelled to return, 
and accordingly we crossed the low hills forming the promontory 
between the two basins of the lake. 
One of the next days was devoted to the survey of the eastern 
end of the lake, and although on its north-eastern side we found 
a considerable quantity of level land stretching towards the 
mountain chain, we bad, alter passing over a few miles, to 
scramble through the forest, and along steep spurs jutting into 
the lake, the water here being too deep for us to follow the line 
