Island, which lay behind the vast ramparts of the snow capped Southern Alps, was a terra incognita. It was a land of mystery and romance; through its forest glades the gigantic moa might still be stalking, among its in accessible mountains might lie a Valley of Diamonds, such as Sinbad the Sailor described. Mr. Samuel Butler, who lived at Mesopotamia, on the eastern face of the great dividing range, felt the spell, and pictured the unknown region that lay beyond, as the home of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, with their quaintly original views on religion and morality.[1]
The Maoris knew something of the country, but jealously guarded its secrets. The finest specimens of the much-prized greenstone came from beyond the ranges. Mr. Leonard Harper, accompanied by Mr. Locke, were the first Europeans to make the traverse. Mr. Harper was persona grata with the Maoris, and in 1857 induced a young Native, Ihaia Tainui, to guide him. They crossed near the head of the Hurunui River by a saddle which they named Harper Pass. They returned with specimens of gold picked up near the mouth of the Teremakau River. Other prospectors followed with reputed discoveries of gold on the Grey River, as well as the Teremakau. Westland was then, and continued till January, 1868, part of the Provincial District of Canterbury.
Fired by the success of the Otago goldfields, which had brought wealth and population to the southern province, the Canterbury Provincial Council offered a bonus of £1,000 to the discoverer of a payable goldfield in Canterbury. The bonus was first claimed by Captain Thomas Dixon for the discovery of gold in the Teremakau, in December, 1862 (“Lyttelton Times,” December 20). Captain Dixon sent his application overland by the above-mentioned Ihaia Tainui, who knew nothing of the contents of the letter until after he had delivered it. The young Maori then claimed the bonus for himself,
- ↑ Erewhon.
