C.-IA.

18

Tauhupu River. —The greatest difficulty would, however, be to get the timber to a market after being cut, as the Taukupu, though having a large estuary, and being navigable for large boats for probably five miles from mouth, yet vessels, even small ones, cannot enter on account of the rocks about outside and in. There is also a shallow bar just where the track crosses, on which, at low water, there is not more than from twelve to fifteen inches of water; there is, however, a tidal rise of about five feet at high water ; above this point the river cannot be forded, even at low water, for over three miles, where there is a sort of rocky bar, having about eighteen inches of water at low water ; here one can cross easily. On our track at mouth there is a splendid ford, with an even bottom of sand and gravel, quite safe for foot passengers up to half tide. We have erected a finger post in middle of river, with directions carved on a board, and pointing both tracks. A mark is also placed, showing height at which it is safe for foot passengers to cross. McLennan River.— The McLennan River is navigable for boats for nearly three miles above its junction with the Taukupu, the banks on both sides are soft for probably two miles up, and are heavy walking. Concluding Remarks. —ln concluding, I desire to remind you that a considerable sum has now been spent, and well spent, in opening up these tracks, and that it would be a pity to allow them to become blocked up by falling trees; or overgrown, for the sake of a few pounds. I would recommend that a couple of men be sent through, say every second summer, to remove fallen trees, and otherwise repair any damage done. It would not take them long, probably a fortnight or less. lam informed that some trees have fallen on the portion we cut last year. John Stkauchon, District Surveyor.

TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY OP THE TAKITIMO COUNTRY. Mr. District Surveyor John Hay, to the Chief Surveyor, Invercargill. The numerous spurs on west side of forest, running down from the various summits, appear to be good summer country for sheep. Judging from their appearance (not having been over the country), I should say, the pasturage is very good, as the vegetation appears rough, apparently not having been subjected to indiscriminate burning, a practice which appears to have caused more injury in denuding the high country of pasturage, than that caused by the rabbit pest. On the country adjoining the eastern margin of forest, the rabbits have been wonderfully kept in check ; in fact, in localities such as the Waterloo Valley, where but a few years ago, they must have been very numerous, it is astonishing to now see so few, and such excellent pasturage. From this it may be assumed that they are not very numerous on the high country above referred to. There is some very good agricultural land on the banks of the Waterloo Burn, but its extent is limited, owing to the narrow nature of the valley. It would be an easy matter to construct a road up this valley, and I think without much difficulty might be extended over the saddle behind Mount Hamilton, and down the Princhester Creek to the Mararoa District. The Takitimo forest covers a large area, and consists almost exclusively of white, black and red birch, the latter a very valuable timber, excellently adapted for fencing, and other building purposes. At some future date this forest will become very valuable, as there are many miles of its frontage (Wairaki River to Coal Creek) of easy access from the Jacob's River Valley. Black pine will be found up the Aparima River, as I have seen large logs brought down by the floods ; but Ido not anticipate any great quantity. Up Waterloo Valley, and in Coal Creek, just where it debouches from the forest, I observed a seam of brown coal; it is visible in the creek bed, and can be traced for some chains in terrace near south bank. This coal, I presume, is similar in quality to the Night Caps, although in appearance it looks harder, and brighter in colour. Trusting these notes may be of some service to the Department. John Hay, District Surveyor.

APPENDIX No. 3. THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, 9th SEPTEMBER, 1885.

No. I.—THE OTAHOUA OBSERVATIONS. Welliington, l@th September, 1885. Observations during the Solar Eclipse on the morning of the 9th inst., on Mount Otahoua, near Masterton. The weather was very unfavorable for observation, the wind being very strong, with a succession of snow showers, which benumbed our hands and our observing faculties to some extent. The sky cleared about ten minutes before totality and enabled the moon's edge to be seen passing a large spot near the eastern margin of the sun. A thermometer in the shade, exposed to the wind, indicated 36° fah. at that time, and 33° just after the end of the total phase. The fall of 3° may have been in a great measure owing to a violent snow shower, which reached us about 40 seconds before the end of the total phase and cut off our view.