FIRST THROUGH TAUTUKU FOREST.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12604, 6 March 1903, Page 6

FIRST THROUGH TAUTUKU FOREST.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —Tho few remarks mado by me at the launching of the boat at Tautnku have brought forth' eoine very interesting reminiscences, the last being that of " Gardener" in your issue of to-day, which ©clipscs all previous records. " Gardener" does not rereal his identity, but if he wishes to remain unknown perhaps lie will at least exhibit specimens of some of his wonderful botanical discoveries — the Lomaria Antarctica, Adiantum polyodon, and perhaps Clematis parviflorum. ITe tells us that he has explored it.ost of_ the Tautnku forest, and yet he makes his botf/ny contradict that statement, because he declares certain plants to be scarce which overywhero abound. "Gardiner" gives v.s a careful account of his experiences in tho vicinity of Catlin'o River, hut just as we expcct to learn from his pen something' interesting about the then great unknown forest beyond, he suddenly leans away to Toi-Tois, a distance of over SO miles, telling us that his first trip was merely a preliminary, and that on his return he collcetcd the specimens ho required. Ho is tho first explorer I ever met who reduced his bush distance by nearly a half. Most men' going for the first time through the forest primeval usually make thej opposite mistake. " Gardener" tells us that the distance from Port Molynoux to Toi-Tois is some 40 odd miles, wheroas 80 is nearer the mark.

Ho is, I thfoik, labouring under a misapprehension regarding the late Mr A. C. Purdio exploring tho Tautuku forest. I knew that, gentleman moll, and wo often were out together, yet ho never mentioned to me that he had been through that bush. He did, however, tell mo of his visit to Catlin's River bush and of his discovering a fern called Doodia there—a fact of which ho was very proud. Regarding the matter of who was the first to go right through that forest from end to end, it would be interesting to have a clear record of actual work. Do I understand "Gardener" to say that, entering tho hush at Catlin's River, he continued his course right through that forest until ho reached Mataura, and came back again through the Tautuku buah to Catlin's River, making a collection, and did not use a boat beyond what he; has stated?

If_ "Gardener" performed that work, then he is worthy of ail commendation j and if that is so, surely it is a most singular thing that tho Lands arid Survey Department of Otago and Now Zealand were so ignorant of the topography cf that country that it is only within the last 17 years—and that 25 years after "Gardener" says he was twice through,—that tho fact has been noted on their maps that two largo riven? discharge into the ocean within five miles of c?jo!i other. These early explorers should have been genorous enougli to enlighten the authorities about their work. One would have liked to hear fram " Gardener" hi,? experiences with these rivers— the Tautuku and Tahakapo Eivers;—and, by the way, that recalls an incident of our trip which may be worth repeating. When we readied Mr M'Farlano's homestead at Fortro.se it was getting late, and Mr 11'Farlane kindly told his housekeeper to give w a "feed." In "tho kitchen were about half a dozen men—" old hands,"—and they asked uu where we came from, and wo told them, when one " old hand " remarked, " Why, I was all through that bush 25 ye are ago, prospering for gold and'eollccting botanical specimens." We asked him how many big rivers he had met with. "Why one,", he replied the Tautuku." " Did you nob cross another river," we asked, " larger than the Tautuku, but with similar headlands, bcachcs, and ©stuarios?" " Who are you getting at?" ho replied. " There is only one big river," he said indignantly. " Well, .we crowed two," was our rejoinder, nnd then he observed, " Well, it's uo use trying to bluff yoit fellows, although I have bluffed a good many. I wa3 along that country—but it was mostly in a boat."—l am. etc., Thomas Mackenzie. Kaikorai, Maroli 2.