THE SOUTHERN DISTRICTS OF THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XVI, Issue XVI, 3 June 1857, Page 4

THE SOUTHERN DISTRICTS OF THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO.

Letter from J. T. Thomson, Esq., Chiof Surveyor of Otago, ty the Superintendent- of the Province. My dear Sir — As many inquiries are made regarding the result of my survey of the Southern Districts, in which I have been engaged for these last three months and a-half, I think it will be of use that I shortly place the same in writing, so that the information, if thought of public service, may be made use of through the proper channel. I arrived at Invercargill on the 12th of January, and there made my arrangements to traverse the country in every direction. I first examined the plains between the forks of the New River, where a fine grazing country for cattle exists, now principally in the occupation of Mr. Macfarlane. I then proceeded to the Bluff to obtain observations of the latitude; from the Bluff I proceeded over the Waiopai plains and eastern banks of the Mataura. Traversing the country in various directions, we then passed the eastern spur of the Hokanui hills, continuing near the Mataura till we reached the station of Mr. M'Kellar, situated in the Tomogalak, at the foot of the Snowy Ranges. From Mr. M'Kellar's we struck for the Oreti, and rounded a spur of the Snowy Range, at the base of which the Oreti flows. We then proceeded north, and encamped for a few days at the foot of the Dome Mountain (Paiherewao), with the object of getting the latitude of the same, with its true bearing from the Bluff ; which prominent and commanding objects, sixty-one miles distant nearly north and south, were chosen as the base of the "reconnaissance" survey in which I was engaged. Their latitudes were carefully ascertained by the system of circum-meridional altitudes With an excellent sextant of Troughton's. At the top of the Dome Mountain (4,955 feet above the sea), situated as it is in the central districts, I obtained a most extensive view of the Province of Otago, distinctly seeing the Molyneux Bay on one side, and Tewywys Bay and Solander's Island on the other. From this position an easy pass into the lake district discovered itself in a N.N.E. direction ; I consequently determined to look at it on my return from the coast. On my descent from the Dome I found we had only four days' flour and tea, so I struck through the country for Jacob's river, as being the nearest place where we could obtain supplies. The country proved more difficult than I had anticipated, so that we were much delayed by bogs and rough country, but we effected our journey in five days, by keeping down the bed of Jacob's river for thirty miles, till we reached the Yellow Bluff, crossing and recrossing the river a hundred times. I remained three days at Jacob's river, engaging another packhorse, and laying in a month's provisions. With these I started for the Waiau river, examining the plains between the Taketemo mountains and the sea. From thence I proceeded to Centre-hill, where I had an extensive view of the plains and downs of the Upper Waiau, whose well-wooded extent I estimate to be 1,000 square miles available for pasture. Oue of the heads of the Waiau was observed to reach a point not over fifteen or twenty miles from the head of Milford Sound on the West coast, and I had previously been informed by Mr. Howell that the Maories had a communication from Milford Sound to Pahees, on the coast near the mouth of the Waiau, which they traversed in coming from Milford Sound, first on foot by the pass, and then by the waters of the Waiau on mogees or flax-stalk rafts. From Centre-hill I proceeded to the Dome, and then struck forty miles into the interior through the pass I had formerly observed, leaving our horses tethered amongst the grass, and our equipments and stock of provisions safely secured under the tent. The pass proved to be the valley of the Upper Mataura, one branch of which 3 the Maories informed me on my return, would have taken me to Wakatip Lake (said to be an easy day's journey from the Mataura) ; but for the purpose of a view I ascended a range about 2,000 feet high, aud when at the top found it to be the dividing range between the Clutha or Molyneux and Mataura. From this point the country in a north-east direction appeared undulating and low as far as the eye could reach, apd no mountains could be descried within 70 to 100 miles. This I take to be a central basin, stretching from where I stood to. the valley of the Waitaki river, which is bounded to the east by the Hunter's hills in the province of Canterbury. I saw no obstacle to our further progress north-east, but having neither equipments, provisions, nor orders to go on, I returned and proceeded with the further prosecution of the survey. From the Dome I struck down the west bank of the Oreti, and having surveyed it returned to Jacob's river. From Jacob's river I proceeded to the B^uff, thence to the Toi-tois and. east banks of the Mataura, and then proceeded across the Waiopai plains to Invercargill. In our progress through the country I, of course, diverged on either side of our route, for the purpose of examining all topographical features and obtaining the necessary observations, principally by theodolite. From Invercargill I proceeded direct to Dunedin, the work being completed. It would be impossible in a short letter to describe the nature of the country with the minuteness and accuracy necessary to a full and correct understanding ; therefore I must write generally. The pasturage near the sea coast is rank and inferior; in the interior generally soft and superior. At an elevation of two thousand feet rank tussocks prevail, mixed with speargrass. The finest grasses in their natural state

are overrun with a prickly shrub called Tomata j guru by the natives, but this is eradicated by fire. The country surveyed by me extends from the Mataura to the Waiau ; and what may be called new country is situated on the Upper Waiau plain— say 1,000 square miles ; and the valleys of the Upper Oreti and Mataura — say 500 square miles. The qualities of their pasture, I believe, to be generally good. As to the Central District I cannot speak, it having been viewed at too great a distance. I can only say, as far as I went wood was in sufficient abundance for pastoral purposes. On every opportunity I examined the geological features ; and, as far as useful minerals are concerned, I may state that we were unsuccessful in washing the sands of the various rivers for gold ; at the same time, it must be added, that we had not the proper apparatus. The channels of the Waiau and Mataura would indicate the existence of the precious metal, but we only obtained one speck in the Waiau. The small samples of gold that have been found near Tuturau, in the hands of various individuals, I have not seen to exceed a few pennyweights, nor am I aware if any person has had such success as to encourage him to continue searching. Limestone exists on the Waiau, and an inferior coal on the Mataura; good roofing slate on the ranges north of the Dome.

These remarks on the supposed character of the minerals are given with much diffidence, as I need not suggest that for the proper elucidation of the mineralogical value of this part of the Province the assistance of a competent professed mineralogist would be necessary. I saw slight indications of iron, but none of copper, and small specimens of what I suppose to be garnet were found in the sands of the Waiau. Upon the whole, the abundance of good pasture and sufficiency of timber appear to be the most useful facts that I have to bring to your notice. Dunedin, April 13, 1857.