OTAGO.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 722, 3 July 1852, Page 3

OTAGO.

The following account of a journey from Canterbury to. Otago by Mr Valpy, is extracted^ from tlie Otago Witness : — Te the Editor of the Otago Witness. The Forbury, June 4, 1852. Si R ,_l had left for the country when your letter arrived, and was in consequence unable to furnish the information you requested. I now have the pleasure to forward itUnable to procure a guide, I > started on the 13th of May from Canterbury on a small Timor pony, accompanied only by my shepherds Donald and Duncan Cameron, whom I furnished with horses. The provisions furnished for the journey were, 15 lbs. of oatmeal,- about the same quantity of biscuits, 12' lbs. of sugar, and 3or 4 lbs. of tea. A light tent, capable of holding eight or ten persons, which was made with the expectation of a party accompanying us ; this, folded up, served as a saddle for one of the men ; the blankets answered the same, purpose "on the pony. To the only saddle we had with us we suspended the- heavier goods. TKus equipped we left Christchurch on the 13th of May. The first daywe Went as far as the River Selwyn,_about 22 miles, we encamped at the fork of Jthe, river. There was a-very heavy S. W. gale through the night, with rain. In the morning we had a beautiful sight of the whole range of mountains far north of Canterbury to Timaru, being covered with snow to the very plains. The next day (Friday) we directed our course to Mr. Saunderson's station ; but not knowing exactly where it lay, found, when we reached the river, that we were about five miles too high, close to Mr. Stoddart's station, where we refreshed oui selves. We made our way to Mr. Saunderson's. station, and arrived at sunset. We met with a very hospitable reception here, as in the last place. r ln the morning we made an early start, arid forded the Racaia, which was swollen by the, preceding rains. After travelling the rest of the, day through plains of the richest pasture, w,e encamped to the southward of the River Ashburton, which was crossed about 4 o'clock, I should say we travelled nearly- 25 miles this day. It was almost dark before we encamped, and we were not able to find any water. We were about three or four miles from the coast. After trying all the day to/get to the , beach, we were obliged to return and encamp at the place where we had breakfasted. . The next morning (Monday) we struck the hills for about two miles, and so beaded the I swamps. This is the River Hind. We easily arrived here in about three hours. We rested the horses, and we're from 12 till night crossing the River Alford. This was the most dangerous river we crossed, owing to its numerous quicksands. _We encamped at the mouth of this river. On Tuesday, after a tedious journey over .a portion of the 90 mile beach, at.about-3 o'clock" we" arrived at.Tiraaru, Rhodes! s st%tipn,:.w:here , w^were- very kindly ..received~-byvtlie_gentlecpan|n.GSai^e^.- He supplied us, with a little flour: we did -not leave till 12 o'clock. This was a hard day's travelling being nearly the whole day on a shingle beach. We encamped at the edge of a swamp after dark, and, much to our disappointment, we found the water quite salt. The next day westaited'at daylight, and got our breakfast at the river Waihou, and arrived at 4 o'clock at the much dreaded Waitaki River, which I everywhere heard was impossible to cross with horses. I found the report true respecting the impetuosity of the current. Near the mouth we crossed the river in a craft the ■ Maories had constructed for the | purpose (a most ugly, unwieldy affair), and encamped close to some Maories whom we I very fortunately found. We left the horses on the other side till next day. After searching for some time, we made the agreeable discovery .of a ford, which we crossed at noon, prosecuting Our journey the same evening to the end of the plain. On Saturday we pushed our way through this hilly country in a thick mist (the firati/hills since we left Christchurch.) We arrifia.at Mount Pleasant, where we .were kindly revived by Duncan Stewart, an old shipmaie ili.the Aja'x. . The following evening 1 received ft Hearty greeting from Mr. Suisted. The next day" I partook of Mr. Jones' hospitality. On Tuesday, my supplies .being refreshed by Mr. Jones, I left for Dunedih, followed by Donald Cameron, Duncan having undertaken to lead the pony, which was quite knocked up. I have great pleasure in stating, much to the credit of my men, Duncan, and Donald Cameron, that when they found Pcould not procure guides at Canterbury, and the rest of our party had disappointed me, they refused to desert me, although they were anxious to return and were offered a passage in the Henrietta. I cannot close "this account without acknowledging the Divine protection which preserved us, and rendered our trip successful. I remain, Sir, — Your obedient servant, * ' William Henry Valpt.