Journey along the Eastern Base of the Ranges, from the Gorge of the Rakaia to the Waitaki and to the Sources of the Hakateramea—1867-68.

Towards the middle of December I left Christchurch to begin geological work on the southern banks of the Rakaia Gorge. Having my head-quarters at Mr. Murray-Aynsley's picturesque station in that Gorge, I devoted several days to a thorough survey of that most interesting district, where, in the perpendicular rocky walls, often from six to seven hundred feet high, splendid geological sections are laid open. Amongst many other remarkable points of interest, the page 157action of igneous rocks on brown coal-beds in contact with them can well be studied. Skirting the eastern foot of the ranges, I first visited the Northern Ashburton, ascending it to near its sources; after which a week was devoted to an exploration of the Orari. Crossing by Tripp's Saddle into the Upper Opuhi plains, this river and the Opihi were both examined, and the occurrence of valuable seams of brown coal ascertained. I next proceeded to the Pareora, where I remained for several days occupied with studying the instructive geological features of the district. After having visited the Waihao, I ascended the Waitaki along its northern banks to the junction of the Hakateramea. This little river, which I followed to near its sources, was particularly interesting to me, the auriferous rocks of Otago being developed to a considerable extent on its left banks. End of January, 1868, I returned to Christchurch.