3

C—B

where sidelings would be necessary, until the snow-line is reached. The length of the horse-track required would be, say, eight to nine miles; the grade would be easy until the upper slopes of Mount Dennan were reached, when it would become about as steep as that of the horse-track which leads up to the Saddle on Ben Lomond, Lake Wakatipu. A foot-track could be cleared first to the upper edge of the bush. This the settlers who were with us considered could be done at little expense; some of them considered that the expenditure of £200 would give a riding-track right up to Mount Dennan. Mr. Mills and some of the other Otaki Gorge settlers think that by going up past the Forks along the Waiotauru Creek (the southern tributary of the Otaki) for two miles or a little less, and then striking up the next ridge to that which we traversed, an even better, or, at any rate, a shorter, loute to the foot of Mount Dennan could be obtained. It would no doubt shorten the bridle-track work required, for a riding-track now goes up along the Waiotauru for some distance above the Forks to Sheridan's clearing; but it seemed to me that it would have the disadvantage of ending in a very precipitous face on the north-western side of Dennan, where the track would require to be cut out of the mountain-side, and would be liable to be carried away by the melting of the snow. The settlers intend exploring this spur up to the main ridge. What is required, however, is a proper survey of these two suggested routes from the Forks. The total distance from Otaki Railway-station to the summit of the Tararua Range by way of the Forks and the route which we followed is approximately twenty-two miles. The vehicle-road is now being completed up the Otaki Gorge, so that it will shortly be possible to drive up to the Forks, which will then be reached in about two hours from the railway. J. COW AN. Mr. Robieson, Chief Clerk, Tourist Department. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,400 copies) £$ 14s.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o9.

Price 3d]