NEW ROUTE BETWEEN NELSON AND MARLBOROUGH.

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 771, 14 March 1865, Page 2

NEW ROUTE BETWEEN NELSON AND MARLBOROUGH.

mcc. jam.es MTackay, (TTertius,) who has explored a good deal of country, supplies us with the following information respecting a discovery he has made of a new route between Nelson and Marlborough, avoiding the Maungatapu: —

" The new pass recently discovered by the explorer starts from the Happy Valley in Wakapuaka, ascending a very easy fern ridge at the back of Lyford's farm, thence it runs to the saddle (400 to 500 feet high,) between "Wakapuaka and Wangamoa rivers, and thence down the "Wangamoa, a level bush valley five or six miles long, to the foot of Mount Duppa. Prom this last point the track follows a large stream which falls into the Wangamoa, and is named the Rie-Rie. This stream takes its rise from the saddle between Mount Duppa and Mount Castor. The Rie-Rie pass is about six or eight miles long and about four (ihains wide, and level. The saddle between the Rie-Rie and the Rye River is about 80 to 1(10 feet high, with very easy ascent. At the b^,ek of Mount Duppa and Mount Castor therfcis also a large basin of level Pine Bush Laid, bearing towards Wonga Rie, a river \,falling into the Croixelles Harbour. Thfe land is auriferous in the "Wonga Rie portpn of the valley. This large basin of hither^ unexplored bush land, extends from the Riußie to the Rye River, which latter falls Into the Pelorus

Sound. The Eye Valley is ten or twelve miles long and about half-a-mile wide. Its bush shows fine timber, consisting of Pine, Eimu, and Totara, and the valley is comparatively level. This valley was explored and reported upon some years ago by Mr. Hogg, the surveyor." f

Mr. Mackay expresses his readiness to show the track he has discovered to any of the officials of the Government. He says that this track would" probably be found to be a much better route for the telegraph line hence to Marlborough Province."