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New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 17, 27 September 1842, Page 4

MR. BUTTON’S JOURNAL.--/ eoncMedJ About eight miles from this rivdlet'.T came to several fresh water streams, some of them two feet deep, and bearing evidence, by the breadth of the channel, that, during the winter timer they must contain a considerable body of water. They have, I believe, all their sources in the Tongaxiro range. I experienced considerable difficulty in finding a track over some of them, being guided only, by the stones placed as I have before mentioned. In the desert I was still more often in fault, the wind having obliterated all marks of a path. The desert appears to be composed entirely of pumice stone and decomposed scoria, intermixed occasionally with a light reddish clay. To my great satisfaction, I at length reached the confines of the desert, and entered a large flat grassy plain, extending as far as I could see, in a south-easterly direction. This valley appeared to be about eight or ten miles broad, and it is probable that it is a continuation of the large plain which I noticed between Taupo and Rotoaira. It is well watered, and although unfit for cultivation, (the top soil being composed of nothing but pumice: stone,) would feed an unlimited number of cattle. The grass is of too coarse a nature for sheep, but in time, from constant feeding, would improve in quality, especially if mixed with English seed. The surrounding hills, to the eastward, are lofty and tabular, covered with fevn to their summits, where, probably, good land might be discovered. They presented a -totally different character to the western ranges, *on which not the slightest vegetation is visible. The ascent to them from the valley is not gradual, as is the case with most of the mountains but rises perpendicularly, having the appearance of white chalky cliffs. Having .walked from sunrise, with a heavy load, I felt gratified in' finding a hut, which had been recently occupied and repaired by the natives. On examining my stock of provisions, I found I had enough to last me for six days,, at the rate of six potatoes per diem, and I had a! so a small quantity ■•= of dried fish, so that I did not anticipate much inconvenience from hunger, I, however, sustained a serious loss; for, having roasted an •allowance .for two days, I found that, during the night, some rats had got into the basket, and eaten the whole of them. An hour’s walk, next morning, brought me to the summit of a high hill, from which I had a view of the surrounding country. Ruapaha, covered with snow, and the Tongariro range, formed a high barrier of mountains to the north. The lofty hill at the farther extremity of lake Taupo, was visible to the eastward, which was bounded by the tabular hills skirting the valley. To the west and south nothing was visible but a vast extent of black and dreary-looking forest, apparently interminable, and rising in steep and lofty ridges. I had a sort of intuitive perception that I should not get through this part of my journey without trouble, and half resolved to return to Taupo, and endeavour to obtain some fresh guides. I knew, however, that in so doing, I should be terribly in their power, and also exposed to their ridicule: besides which, the delay which would be incurred by going and returning, would throw my journey so late into the winter, that the road would probably be impassable, from the snow. In addition to these reasons, I had only about three days’ provisions, and I was aware that, at the lowest estimation, I should have more forest to traverse than I could manage in that time. Taking a path which appeared the broader of two which separated’not far from my resting place, I recommenced my journey, and entered the forest. The heavy load I carried prevented my making any great progress, and I soon found out that crossing over large fallen trees, and the numerous gullies with which the forest was intersected, was not quite so easy as walking along the level plain. It commenced also raining heavily, and my clothes were perfectly soaked. A day and a half (usually travelled in one day) brought me to a rapid torrent about thirty yards across, in endeavouring to cross which, I was carried off my feet, and taken about forty yards down the stream. I tried it a second time, with the same result; but resolving not to retrace my steps to Rotoaira, I hid the greater portion of my clothes in the bush, and ascending the banks for a short distance, made another attempt, in which I was successful. I was, however, much exhausted on my reaching land, which I found, to my great mortification, was but a small island, the stream on the other side being broader and more rapid than that I had just crossed. However, I had no resource but to plunge in, when I found myself breast high. With much exertion, I reached the centre of the current, when I was carried down with great velocity, until my course was checked by one of my bundles being caught between two stones, and I was dragged under water. Providentially for me, the fastenings were not secure, and%ave way, by which means I,got my head from beneatlf th%jcniTent, and strug- . gled to the bank. I was completely exhausted on reaching the land, and was for some time, I believe, senseless. My situation, indeed, was not enviable. I was without food, with no means of striking a light. Nothing but a \ blanket thoroughly soaked, and it was raining heavily. In the basket, with: the blanjkets, werf a few dried fish, which the, next morning, from immersion in the water, turned putrid ; and al-

though I forced them down my throat; tKe^' ; refused to remain. I was obliged -$6 priffifonV; by usirig my utm rmgMreMM. Wanganui, lerifl| ; dVer ; anhi^ys^i^^ Bß^6 df was gdhdlaUyk sffialfpritch bfcldar ferfi? clinch! My was so' lid#’, T fifonf wfekh^ n ; the diffiiciflty of the patk,' that'Pwasfodr reaching theWarigariui river. I wri§; hdwey'ei*; encouraged by meeting* some natives, #h6 tbldl Ime T was hbt . far from thence, arid who :me f about : aj dofcefr. of the fruit of thel karalc^ I tree j Which afforded me grlat relief; ’arid cflecT ; a few unhappily were uncobkedv i ’ 1 felt quite elated at the idea of reaching my j destination; aridwalked on with renewed vigour. II could not reach the river that night; biii knowing it was not far off, gkve myself no urii easiness, and slept soundly, dreaming of turtle soup, venispn, Burgundy, and champagne punch, with rio ehd of “ petitspuite d’amour ” “ omelettes souffles,” &c; The following morning I reached the river, and saw several canoes-coming down. They proved to be some belonging to Mr; Ribhhrd .Beightori, Who had been up to Pukiliika, *on hailing him, he immediately came to the bank, exceedingly surprised at, and not a little suspicious of, my appearance, which certainly was. not prepossessing. I had not shaved for three months, and the part of my face not covered with hair presented a most haggard and ghastly appearance. My clothes were dirty and tom, and I had altogether the aspect of a man escaped from the gallies.. On entering his canoe, I stated I had been four days without food, and was immediately supplied with some excellent Coffee and cold pork. I cannot state how much 1 demolished, but it was no small quantity. We reached Wanganui the following day. The rest of my journey to Port Nicholson needs no description; but I cannot conclude without offering'the expression of my gratitude to the inhabitants of Wanganui, for the hospitality and kind treatment I received from their hands. The. Rev. 'Mr. Mason sent a native to the place where I had hidden the things: the nest was there, but the birds were flown, which was accounted for by the circumstance of a party of Maories having gone from Wanganui to Taupo by that road, a few days after T arrived. The most serious loss I sustained was in my journal; and the circumstance of the present account being written entirely from memory, will, I trust, atone for the many inaccuracies and discrepancies which may be found to exist in it.