Western Explorations.

Otago Witness, Issue 2803, 4 December 1907, Page 37

Western Explorations.

TO THB EDITOB. Sib,— To-day I met a friend whose opinions I value highly, and he aaid "You should, I think, take some notice of Sutherland'sletter." To which I replied. "Why, I have not even read it But is it necessary to reply?" I then took « glance through it at the club. In matters of this kind I think it best first to get at the kernel of the attack, and then, to quote authorities outside of one's self, to place the position before the public. Applying that principle to Mr Sutherland's letter, how does it work out? The gravamen of bis statements is contained in his first paragraph, wherein he asserts that in connection with my work "in all cases others went before him." He illustrate* that, by alluding, among other instances, to my Manapouri work, when, after dealing witlj Professor Mainw*iing Brown's search, he says "Mackenzie made » second trip with a picket (whatever that may mean) to Manapouri on Dusky Bay rouie and failed." Now what says the then Sur-veyor-general, Mr Percy Smith, in that connection, who is himself an enthusiastic and accomplished- •xplbrer. I Alight here interpolate that that particular year was remarkable for much' exploration work — Douglas and Harper on the western slopes of the Southern . Alps and Dunnage on Ruapehu. Mr Percy' Smith, after summarising the year's work in tho Official Record, concludes with these, words, "The most important exploration _.o-i ! the year, however, has been th«t made by;' Messrs Mackenzie, Pillnns, and Earnshaw im the country south-west of Manapouri, dtiringj which they discovered s practicable route fronm, that lake to the head of Dusky Sound, a route which in the no distant future will play jlth important part in th« tourist's line of travel.'" Yet that is what Mr Sutherland calls s "failure." He also refers to my connection' with Mr R. Henry and Dusky Sound lide. Why, I have letters from Mr Henry dated m year before my visit there, in which he says he has been up looking at my track and identifying some of the geographical features I had named. One might quote other official records but I am, however, content to le*v« 'it at that. Just one more allusion and I | have done. Much that Mr Sutherland refers to occurred 19 or 20 years «go. Fortu- ■ uatel y he deals with my last trip, tho cirI cumstances of which are still fresh in th« ' publio mind. He says "Mr Birley two years i ago discovered a track from Wakatipu to To ! Anau," (Yet) "Mr Mackenzie explored that , track." In the Daily Times of January ,22, 1907. this appears from my pen: — When Mr T. Mackenzie was at Wakatipu recently Mr Birley and some other residents waited on him regarding the country between Te Anau and Wakatipu. Mr Birley, who sonw two years ago made his way through tha-t wild and picturesque region, and found a pass, or rather crossed two mountain ranges, wished 1 to know whether something could not be done to have » track cut through the forest, so that a beginning, however moderate, might be made in tho way of establishing communication between Te Anau and Wakatipu. After a talk and study of maps Mr Mackenzie said that if the Government would give him the assistance of two men he would go himself. I may add that the Government did supply the men, and we went through, somewhat varying our course, however, crovsitig at least six high saddles of between 4000 ft and 5000 ft, some of which bad never been, crossed before, and I am pretty safe in saying are not likely to be taken again coon. The* party furnished a report of a- practicable) way, including the crossing of only one high saddle, and that money was voted this session to begin a road that will be of infinite valuo to New Zealand. Thomas Mackekzii. Allan Grange, December 2.