prospect as to the closeness of the bush, and the quality of the ground; and the report, in every case, was a favourable one as to the fineness of the timber, its freedom from undergrowth, and the richness of the soil. These features prevailed along the banks of what Dr Hector has named the “alleys” of the stream proper—branches of the river which once surrounded islands, but which have become “blind channels,” while the islands have been converted into peninsulas. Approaching the mouth of the river, its resemblance to one or other of the branches of the Clutha was, as I think I already said, most striking. In fact, in reality as well as in appearance, the sides of the river partake very much of the character of portions of Inch Clutha or its neighbourhood; and the experiences of the settlers here would be nothing worse, if not a strong shade better than the experiences of the Otago pioneers who had made the Clutha district their home, and the garden which, in many parts, it now is.
Considerable quantities of white-bait were to be seen in the stream, as they had been in the lake, and even in the Hollyford proper; and other fish of small size were occasionally visible. The woods also were extensively inhabited by pigeons, kakas, and wood-hens, and the smaller birds, whose notes filled the air almost day and night. No man with powder and shot need be without, at least, one description of food, and the simplicity with which the wood-hens were caught made the gun not always indispensable. We failed, however, in casually meeting with any more specimens of the kiwi or the kakapo, but their capture was not essentially an item of our programme.
Based upon the appearances of the weather—for it was now raining and blowing hard—bets were made that the “Geelong” would be found to have sought the shelter of Milford Sound; but when we reached the sandspit, a few of us scampered over it, and had the gratification of seeing her looming—and rolling not a little—in the distance. She was still at her original anchorage, and, as soon as the fire we made was seen by Captain Hart, he sent the boat ashore, and we mixed crews for the pull across the bar. There was a considerable surf on the beach, but the river was quite accessible by boats; and the theory is, that going out over a bar is, at most times, the safer of the two operations. On this occasion, at any rate, we found it a matter of no difficulty. It was the intention of our party to have given a day to the examination of Big Bay, but the altered weather interfered with that arrangement. The weather and the trifling time they had to prospect were also the inducing causes of the diggers coming off to the steamer, after their first determination to remain. They have since found reason to repent of their resolution, and it is not improbable that they will yet do penance by walking thither overland.
This is the last I am to say, though it is not the last that might be said, of the West Coast and Martin’s Bay. Much of what has been said has had reference to the picture which the coast presents; comparatively little, perhaps, as to the practical resources it may possess. The existence of the latter, so far as they were seen, has merely been reported upon. The mode of their development is a matter which rests with the Government. It may be suggested, however, that communication with the Lake District is a prime necessity in connection with the settlement of country at Martin’s Bay.
