THE MOTUAKA DISTRICT.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 23, 13 August 1842, Page 91

THE MOTUAKA DISTRICT.

To thb Editor of the Nelson Examiner. Sir — As the delivery of a considerable number of the Suburban Sections of the Nelson settlement will take place in a short time, and as a small portion of the land within the Motuaka district will be included in the first distribution, a short description of its geographical position and local features' may not be uninteresting to some of your readers, whose avocations may prevent them from inspecting it personally. The tract of country known by the designation of the " Motuaka District " is situated on the western side of Tasman's Gulf, in a northwesterly direction from Nelson Haven, and distant from that port about fifteen or twenty miles. It may be described as extending coastwise from the River Moulera on the south to the little Bay of Kiteratera on the north, embracing also a short portion of the coast between the latter place and Astrolabe Roads. Within this range, which may be about ten miles, the rivers Motuaka and Rewaka, with several minor streams, discharge their walers by several mouths into the bay, forming at thenentrance from the Bea several tide channels, available at high water for boats of considerable size to sail through them and discharge or take in their cargoes. A native village or pah, with a population of about 1006ouls, stands near the mouth of the Motuaka ; and another, now nearly deserted, is situate under a rocky hill on the northern bank of the Rewaka, at the distance of a mile and a-half from its junction with the sea. The extent of country inland from the coast, available for the purposes of cultivation, is from three to six miles, and affords probably some of the finest soil within the Nelson settlement. The district may be said to be divided into several separate tracts. That nearest Nelson, and perhaps the most easy of access, is contained between the Moutera and the Motuaka, and consists of a large flat extent of rich alluvial soil. In the centre of it is a considerable pine forest, commencing, about a mile from the coast and extending in a south-western direction about four miles, with an average breadth of three-quarters of a mile, containing an area of about 2,000 acres. A strip along its northern - and eastern frontage is cultivated by the natives, and is considered by them as the most valuable of their territorial possessions in the neighbourhood; consequently, they have a great desire to retain a considerable portion of it in their occupation. The open land between the wood and the rivers is mostly covered with fern of luxuriant growth, and ths flax plant grows to a magnificent size along the margin of the Motuaka. This portion of the district contains from 6,000 to 8,000 acres of valuable land for cultivation. The Motuaka river is of considerable size, and in many places of great depth ; but it is not navigable even for boats more than a mile from its entrance from the bay, on account of the rapidity of its current and several shallows that intervene. The first two or three miles from its mouth it flows in several channels, forming: islands of considerable size between them ; but a mile or two further up it is much deeper and. more confined within its banks, where it presents a noble and picturesque appearance, the fine woods that line its sides and cover the gently sloping hills adding greatly to the beauty of the scenery. The river in many places overflows its banks a<"ter heavy rain, and brings down from the upper country trees of great size, which, being impeded in their passage by some obstacles, lay the foundation of the numerous small islands that occupy its surface. On the northern side of the Motuaka, and lying between that Btream and the Rewaka, is another flat tract of land of considerable extent. The greater part of this is covered with fern of more stunted growth than that previously described; but the soil, although apparently inferior, is of good/average fertility, and sections of first-rate quality are to be found on the banks of the river and at the foot of the hills. The principal detriment to this tract is a swamp of considerable size, extending nearly the whole distance between the Motuaka and Rewaka, which cuts off the communication between the sections along the coast and those at the foot of the hills, excepting near the margin of the rivers. It occupies a space of about 1,500 acres, some portions of which, being at a lower level than the sea at hi^h tides, would probably be difficult of drainage, unless by the construction of tidal banks and sluices. There are several small pine groves scattered over the swamp, in which the Maories have potato gardens. The hills at the back of this series of sections are mostly of easy ascent, and available for cultivation, and are valuable from being covered in many places with woods containing fine trees of several useful kinds. The native pah is situate at the eastern side of this tract, which, being a good landing place for large boats at most states of the tide, may be called the key to the district. The valley of the Rewaka adjoins the tract last mentioned, and, although of limited extent, possesses a claim to the attention of the agriculturist, from the lertility of the soil and the beauty of its scenery. It ranges from the coast about two miles in a westerly direction, and for that distance is about three-quarters of a mile wide. It then proceeds in a north-westerly coarse two or three miles further, when it turns towards the south-west for several miles, being very confined in its breadth, but occasionally expanding its limits so as to afford space for a few sections. The stream that runs through it, named the Rewaka, is about the same size as the Maitai at Nelson. Its course is circuitous and the current rapid, and after rain a large body of water flows through it It is navigable at high tides for boats tiro miles from its mouth

near Kiteratera, but during the summer months it is very shallow. The rapidity of the current washes away the banks in many places, leaving large shingly beaches along its sides. A feature peculiar to this valley is the picturesque and luxuriant appearance of the hills that bound it on either side. They consist mostly of a series of knolls and slopes of easy inclination, frequently alternating with small ravines or valleys, which are the source of small streams of water, and are generally of a woody character. These eminences are interspersed with frequent patches of bush and pine groves, the graceful outline of their dark foliage relieved by the lighter tint of the intermediate fern, reminding the observer at a distance of the appearance of some of our most ornamental and beautiful English parks. The lowest and widest part of the valley is covered with fern and toi-toi, with a little bush along the sides of the river; but further up, where it becomes more confined, its surface is mostly occupied by bush and trees, a portion of which has been partially cleared by the natives for potato grounds, and which they still occupy for that purpose, the potatoes grown there being some of the best flavoured that New Zealand produces. Many beautiful shrubs are found in the woods, and several plants indicative of fertility, as the sow-thistle, cabbage, dock, and plantain grow in great luxuriance, springing up probably in greater abundance after partial cultivation. A small, rapid stream called the Atua empties itself into the Rewaka, close by the old pah. On its banks, about a mile up its course, the Company's men engaged on the survey have built their houses on the side of a hill fronting the bay. The hamlet is named Atua, after the stream. The remainder of the district in progress of survey, lying along the coast northwards towards Astrolabe Roads, consists principally of a series of rugged hills, of greater or less elevation, and possessing but little capability for cultivation. The soil on many of them is poor and shallow, and their sides are generally too steep for the plough. There are occasionally small valleys that, with some of the hills, are more fertile and available, and many of the higher eminences further from the coast are covered with fine woods, but very difficult of access. The aspect of the coast is romantic and grand, exhibiting cliffs formed of bold and rugged rocks, composed of a kind of conglomerate quartz and granite, some with numerous granular particles of a bright metallic substance embodied with them. The cliffs are generally overgrown with splendid creepers and other shrubs, with fine woods overhanging the summits. Numerous little streams of water trickle through the ravines and B mall openings between the cliffs, and continue flowing throughout the year. The little bay or cove of Kiteratera, two miles to the north of the old pah, and not far from the junction of the Rewaka with the sea, is a secluded and romantic spot. It opens east by south towards Taaman'a Gulf, and possesses good anchorage in eight or ten fathoms water for one or two vessels even of large size. The beach is sandy and very shelving, making it easy for boats to land or leave at any state of the tide. A portion of the frontage is available for building sites, but there is vary little flat land in the neighbourhood. A rivulet flows into the cove at its northern side, proceeding from a. small swampy valley, which a few miles up its course appears almost to unite with that of the Rewaka. Should it be practicable to construct an available road to communicate with the Rewaka district, which as yet has not been ascertained, this cove would probably derive some importante as a port for shipping its produce ; but the expense of such a work must necessarily be very considerable, which will probably defer its execution for many years. The hills nearest the coast are covered with fern of inferior growth, and many of them with the manuka plant, which is generally indicative of a hungry, dry, and clayey soil. About two miles north of Kiteratera, along the coast, is a sandy bay, with a wooded valley behind it of some extent, watered by a small stream. The beach at this place is very flat, and the water too shallow for boats to land excepting at spring tides. The land in the valley is not considered very productive — the wood producing trees mostly, of the birch kind, which are generally indicative of a shallow and sandy soil. Most of the hills near it are too steep for extensive cultivation, and are similar in character to those behind Kiteratera. The greater part of the coast in this direction is rocky, and affords very few spots fit for profitable occupation. The shore is covered with vast quantities of shell-fish, mostly of the muscle tribe ; oysters are also to be met with in considerable quantities near the rocks. The natural productions of the Motuaka district appear to be very varied and beautiful, although many of them are similar to those met with in many other parts of New Zealand of the same latitude. The woods produce a great variety of splendid shrubs and trees, but they are not generally remarkable for their large size, excepting on some of the hills. The trees in the large pine forest are mostly small, and consist principally of the white pine (kahikatea), the riinu, and the xcatai, with a few of the tawa| of which shingles are made. On some of the hills, at a considerable elevation, there are a great Variety of smaller shrubs and creepers of great beauty, and among the former may b» noticed the splendid tree fern, which is abundant in all the woods, and in great perfection. The species of fern are very numerous, and there are Borne beautiful specimens of cryptoga- - mous plants, mosses, and fungi. The feathered tribe are very numerous and varied, and among them are some specimens not noticed elsewhere. Waterfowl of manys different species abound near the marshes «ftd rivers. That handsome bird, the pukeko».qsth H