THE AUSTRIAN SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION IN AUCKLAND.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 47, 11 June 1859, Page 3

THE AUSTRIAN SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION IN AUCKLAND.

[From the Neio- Zealander, May 28.] As our readers are aware, some two months and a half ago, Dr. Ferdinand Hochstetter, the Geologist of the Imperial Austrian Scientific Expedition, started from Auckland to make a geological exploration of the Waikato and Lake districts of the Province of Auckland. He was accompanied by Mr. J. F. Haast, a German gentleman now in Auckland with a view to make full inquiry into its resources, for the information of his countrymen, aud who was invited by the Provincial Government to join the party ; Mr. Drummond Hay, who (as on the occasion of the exploration of the Drury and Hunua coal-fields) wa3 attached to the expedition as the representative of the Governor ; and Mr. Koch, a German artist resident in Auckland, and Mr. Hamel the photographist, who were attached by the Provincial Government to render every assistance they could to Dr. Hochstetter, in taking pictorial representations of the country travelled over.

On Tuesday, the 24th day of May instant, the expedition returned to Auckland, somewhat weary and footsore it may be, but all highly gratified with what they had seen — with what they had learnt — with what they had gathered, entomologically, ethuologically, and scientifically in every sense of that word.

We give a hasty r6sume of the route of Dr. Hochstetter and his companions, and of the result of their labours. From Auckland, the expedition started for Drury — by this time old familiar ground : thence to Mangatawhiri — where the memory of the brave Havelock, that worthy descendant of the grim old Dane whose prowess is still chronicled in the records of Great Grirasby, is paid homage to in the formation of a new township ; thence, by canoe, up the Waikato to Waipa — duly noting down all the many geological formations disclosed by the singular banks of the Waikato. The expedition then crossed over to Whaingaroa (now Raglan) — where the existence and excellent quality of valuable beds of limestone were fully confirmed. Thence to Aotea and Kawhia — whose geological treasures much interested our German visitors. Thence they returned, over the Pirongia ranges, back to the Waipa, which with its tributaries was explored as far as the source of the Manga- witekau, in whose vicinity are the beautiful Limestone Caves of which former travellers have spoken, and then proceeded to the Mokau and Tuhua districts — the former interesting for its native cultivations and natural grasses ; the latter for its high and richly-wooded ranges. Thence the route was to the source of Wanganui River and its tributaries — after crossing which, the Expedition entered the lofty pumice-stone plateau bordering the south-western shore of Lake Taupo.

After carefully examining Taupo and its highly interesting shores, the Expedition made way round the eastern side of the Lake to its outlet — the Waikato. Then took a northeasterly direction, and crossed the Waikato at Orake Korako, whose magnificent geysers and ngawhas were the admiration of the party. Leaving the Paeroa range and its equally magnificent hot-springs (which Dr. Hochstetter carefully inspected) to the right, the Expedition proceeded by Roto Kakahe to Lake Tarawera, and thence to Roto Mahana, by almost the same route we have described in our Notes of the "Auckland Lake Season, 1859," — afterwards taking in their way Tikitapu, Rotorua, Roto-Iti, and many of the neighbouring small lakes. All the principal ngawhas iv this extraordinary district were visited and examined.

From this part of the country, the Expedition proceeded to Maketu and Tauranga, and from thence, across the ranges to the Waihou (the Thames) district, passing on their way the magnificent Falls of Wairere. From here the course was to Mauuga-tautari (a district of which we have already spoken), and thence on to Rangiawhia. Returning from this place by the Waikato, the expedition had an audience of King Potatau, and after due conversation with his Maori Majesty, Dr. Hochstetter and his friends descended the Waikato in canoes — landing at the Teia creek, near the terminus of the Great Southern Road ; and from here back to Auckland.

The objects of the expedition were so varied and comprehensive, that a large party of European and Native attendants had to be engaged to convey the requisite apparatus and luggage. With respect to weather Dr. Hochstetter was on the whole very fortunate; and he was enabled to gather a very large amount of information and material from which he will compile a complete Geographical and Geological Map of the southern part of the province of Auckland — more especially of Lake Taupo, the Waikato, and the Hot Lak s districts. We have, ourselves, seen the outline maps, on a very large scale, containing very full details as to the geographical aud geological character of the country traversed by the expedition; and we know that a vast amount of valuable information will be presented to the province by their publication, not merely with respect to Geology, but every branch of Natural Science — information all the more valuable inasmuch as this important portion of the, province of Auckland has never before been I either closely or accurately explored.

More than two hundred observations have been taken as to the heights of mountains and ranges ; and very extensive collections of specimens in every branch of natural history have been brought back — part of which we hear will enrich our local museum. Among the remains of extinct animals are some bones of the Moa. Ethnological specimens of great value have also been obtained, and native carvings not often parted with to the pakeha.

We learn from Dr. Hochstetter, that Mr. Haast has collected a great variety of statistical information of every kind, which he intends forwarding to his countrymen in Germany, and which will be translated for publication in England. Nor is this all. We have had the pleasure of inspecting a portfolio ot very accurate and artistic sketches (many of them on a large scale), taken by Mr. Koch in the districts visited by the expedition, and many of which we hope to see lithographed ; while Mr. Hamel has photographed some fifty or sixty views of different parts of the country. Dr. Hochstetter informs us, that he has r«-

turned highly gratified with the results of his exploration, both geological and mineralogical, and with the great zeal manifested by every member of the party to contribute (o the success of the expedition. Nor have he and his friends been less gratified with the thoroughly kind reception they have everywhere met with from missionaries, settlers, and native chiefs — one and all of whom have done their utmost to promote the success of the exploring party. Hereafter, we trust, a more detailed and more official account of the scientific exploration of 1859 will be published ; but, pending its appearance, we are sure that every one will join with us in tendering the thanks of the Province of Auckland to Dr. Hochstetter and all who accompanied him, for their indefatigable exertions to make the world better acquainted with the varied geological, mineralogical, and agricultural resources of, and the many marvels to be met with in, this portion cf the Colony of New Zealand.