EXPLORATION OF NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 69

EXPLORATION OF NEW ZEALAND.

LECTURE BY PROFESSOR ELDER. A meeting of the Dunedin branch of the Historical Association was held in the University Buildings on Thursday evening, when Dr Elder, Profesor of History in the University, traced the course of inland exploration from 1840 onwards. Explaining difficulties which faced the first explorers and surveyors in the North and South Islands, the lecturer discussed first the work of Dieffenbach and Hoch-st-etter in the Auckland and Nelson regions, and proceeded to deal with the work done by Brunner and Heaphy, the first European explorers to enter the difficult West Coast region The period 18501870 was the period of greatest activity in the exploration of New Zealand and Dr Elder dealt with this period in detail, showing, in particular, the influence of the gold discoveries upon exploration and discovery. He pointed out the dangers faced daily by the surveyor, telling of the fates of George Whitcombe, drowned on the West Coast in 1003, and of Charlton Howitt, who met his death in the same year while endeavouring to cross Lake Brunner. Prominent among explorers of Otago were J. T. Thomson, James M‘Kerrow, and Sir James Hector, whose work was described. Dealing finally with the conquest of the Southern Alps, Dr Elder spoke of the work of Sir Julius Haast and. of the gallant band of New Zealand mountaineers who gradually conquered the great peaks. In conclusion he eulogised the part played in building up the national tradition of New Zealand by her surveyors and pioneer explorers, men “ who cheerfully faced hardships and danger that others might follow them along a plain road in safety.”