succession of smaller plains, bounded by grassy downs, extend northward, probably on to Cape Campbell. We have added some hundreds of square miles to her Majesty's dominions, or the New Zealand Company's possessions; this is an important feature, for it is this very added portion that comprises the richest and fairest portion of New Zealand, in our humble estimation. You know, of course, that the general feature of the country is a succession of abrupt and lofty hills, with corresponding deep and secluded valleys, either thickly wooded or clothed with a thick fern and long grass, offering all kinds of obstacles both for pastoral and agricultural purposes; indeed, it is often heart-breaking to see the land that people have settled down on, and the struggle and privation that must be endured before it can be turned to account. But here we have a plain extending from north to south 100 latitude miles, with an average width of at least thirty miles, intersected by numerous rivers, not the water holes of Australia, but rather rushing torrents, which have managed to excavate beds for themselves some 200 or 300 and 400 feet in a perpendicular drop, on the western side of the plains; these rivers will, I anticipate, on a detailed examination of their entrances being made, offer but few obstacles to boat navigation for some half dozen miles from the sea-board, which will render their passage at all times secure: this great plain may be called almost a dead level for as for as the eye can trace from any point. From the sea-shore to the Backbone ridge, not a rise of twenty meet meets the view; but, judging from the excavated bed of the rivers and other circumstances, I think there will be found a gradual rise of the land from the coast to the base of the mountain range,[1] where I judge it may be some 500 feet above the level of the sea. Will not this serve hereafter admirably for drainage and irrigation if required? Of the nature of the soil, Mr. Thomas's account will give you a better description than I possibly can. If I, however, may judge of the whole by a portion I saw on the Messrs. Dean's property, and the general impression of our explorers, it must be of a very superior nature. For the first time in New Zealand, we here luxuriated on the finest beef and mutton one could desire to meet with. All dairy produce of the richest quality. Potatoes and all kinds of vegetables unrivalled. Our sportsmen found the plain abounding with quails, and the rivers with wild ducks; and last, though not the least in importance, votaries of the hydropathic system pronounced the water of the rivers nectar. A remembrance of all these good things, with a desire to give you as much information as I can in a small compass, must plead my excuse for touching thus largely on the creature comforts.
I am glad that you have insisted in, as far as you possibly can, the Canterbury settlement being founded in the Middle Island, were it only on account of the natives; one cannot but forbode the numerous ills that have to appear yet from this cause on the Northern Island. Now, on the Middle Island they are too few and scattered ever to give a moment's apprehension, and farther, they have been so thoroughly prostrated in spirit from the recent invasions and horrible wars of extermination carried on by the northern chiefs, that they look upon the white settlers as guardian spirits, and have certainly lost much of that ferocity of character which is too plainly distinguishable among their northern neighbours; they may be looked on now as useful auxiliaries to the early settlers; with the later ones, I fear, they will be only known by legend, so rapid is their decrease, by the concurring testimony of all with whom I have conversed on the subject.
I come now to the subject of a harbour, and on this point Mr. Thomas has been fortunate in his selection; it appeal's to me singular that the merits of Port Cooper as a harbour, situated too, near an extensive district of open country should have been so much overlooked and known only to whale-ships; you will be, perhaps, also surprised when I tell you, that I look upon it, taking all the
- ↑ This mountain range is generally capped with snow: it has a most fantastic outline, sharp pinnacles and deep gorges following each other;—a rough country for the traveller, this Alpine region. I estimate their greatest height at from 7000 to 8000 feet. We know of about six passes through them.
