In 1859 James Mackay, accompanied by his cousin, Alexander Mackay (one time Commissioner and Judge of the Native Land Court), again travelled to Westland, their mission being to purchase from the natives all the lands, comprising about seven and a half million acres, between Kahurangi Point and Milford Haven, and extending inland to the watershed of the East and West Coasts. On this occasion Mackay elected to travel by way of the alpine route, and when the party reached Lake Sumner they found John Rochfort, who had entered into a contract to survey the southern boundary of the Province of Nelson, and to traverse the Grey and Buller Rivers, and a portion of the coastline, camped there waiting for the weather to improve before attempting the crossing into Westland. The two parties for mutual protection and assistance joined forces, and towards the end of April tried to cross the saddle dividing the Hurunui and Taramakau Rivers. A very heavy fall of snow, however, made this impossible, and they were forced to go into camp again, where they remained for one week. When the weather cleared Mackay and Rochfort took the lead and good progress was made until they came to a bluff which compelled them to cross the Taramakau. In so doing Rochfort lost his footing on a slippery ledge of rock, and was rapidly carried down the
