NOTES OF A JOURNEY TO THE HEAD OF THE PELORUS. By Messrs. Parkinson and Drake.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 89, 18 November 1843, Page 355

NOTES OF A JOURNEY TO THE HEAD OF THE PELORUS. By Messrs. Parkinson and Drake.

Tuesday, November 7th. — Left Nelson at eleven, a.m., in company with two Maories, and proceeded up the Maitai valley about two miles, until the river takes a bend round the hills to the southward, when we followed, about east, a small stream running into the Maitai (called by the natives Waitara<e). Finding our progress greatly impeded by the high growth of fern, we walked up the stream some little distance, but this proving nearly as bad, we set fire to the fern. The wind blowing fresh from the west, soon cleard a road for us. At three miles, struck up the hills, where we again found ourselves entangled in high fern, which rendered our ascent very difficult and fatiguing, and the fire again springing up obliged us to push briskly on up the hill to avoid it. At half-past two, reached the summit, where we had a fine view of the course of the Maitai, and the hills which divided us from the Pelorus. Our Maori guide pointing out to us the spot where we were to cross, we found the bearing to be E.S.E., distance, six miles. Descended the bill, and followed the Maitai river.sometimes wading through it, and at others pushing our way through the thick brush and underwood. Saw great numbers of the blue duck. Followed the river about two miles, until we came to where it divides to the southward and eastward, when we struck up the foot of the hill about S.E., keeping on the top of the range through thick manuka. At first, found the ascent very steep and difficult, the ridge in many places not being more than four feet wide, and almost perpendicular on both sides. As we proceeded, found great quantities of mica, and appearance of mineral substances, in some places passing between huge flint rocks. Sunset — Reached a kind of basin filled with stagnant water, by the side of which we found the remains of an old Maori warre ; and our guide informed us that a long time back, when the path was used, they walked from Nelson in one day. Encamped here for the night. Wednesday, November 8th. — Rained nearly all last night. Proceeded up the range, the thick drizzling rain rendering our walk very miserable. Found the hills in many places thickly covered with flax and bush ; the rocks seeming to increase in size and number the higher we ascended. Could see nothing but clouds beneath us, and the hills above being capped, completely obscured the surrounding country. Nine, a.m. — Gradually winding up the ridge until we reached a deep-wooded gully with a stream running down it ; one of the sources of the Matai river. Crossed it, and struck E.N.E. round the face of the high wooded hill called Maiketap, our guide clearing a road for us with his tomakawk through the thick underwood, and occasionally pointing out the old Maori path, although long since overgrown with bush, and only discernible by a broken twig here and there. Noon. — Found ourselves out of the wood in a bare place on the saddle of the hill Maiketap, and a strong breeze springing up from the S.W., dispersed the clouds, and afforded us a splendid view of the surrounding scenery. Looking to the eastward we could see the valley of the Pelorus stretching away to the sea, the river winding its circuitous coarse between gigantic mountains deniely covered with thick forest; the valley avenging about half a mile in width.

To the N.E. we could discern the hills surrounding Punakarua ; to the E.S.E. the mountain Mawkapawa [Mahakipawa], distance, ten miles, round which runs the valley of Kituna, leading into the Wairoo Plain. Turning to the westward, we looked down upon Blind Bay, Separation Point, Massacre Bay, and Cape Farewell, forming altogether a more extensive view than we had ever seen in New Zealand. After taking our different bearings, we descended the hill winding to right round the Maiketap. At about three miles, fell in with a branch of the Pelorus, which we followed three or four miles more. Finding it gradually increasing, and feeling confident of the success of our undertaking, encamped for the night, intending to return to Nelson in the morning. Thursday, November 9th. — After taking leave of our Maories, who were very sorry at our not proceeding on with them to Wairoo, started for Nelson, retracing our former track, and reached home at six, p. m.

The above is a short account of our expedition, and it is our opinion that a short and easy bridle path could easily be made from Nelson to the Wairoo through a considerable track of good available land on the bank of the Pelorus,.