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112 was felled in a vain effort to throw one across the raging torrent, but without avail. At last the idea was conceived to construct a rude ladder of saplings, and after making a precarious crossing by this means, they made good progress to the head of Lake Wanaka, which was reached on October 14th. Five days later they arrived at Clyde, the whole trip taking just over seven weeks. Auriferous indications were observed at various parts of the route, which was regarded as a practicable one, the distance being about 90 miles. This expedition was acclaimed as an outstanding contribution to the scanty knowledge then possessed of the country indicated, and Messrs. Pyke and Clarke were entertained at a public dinner, congratulated on their success and thanked on behalf of the province.

There were many other adventurous explorations in the early days. In Otago J. McKerrow, afterwards Surveyor-General, pushed westward the reconnaissance survey of the Lakes District, and back to the watershed of the Southern Alps, covering and mapping an area of 8,000 square miles in the two summer seasons of 1861-62 and 1862-63. Dr. Hector, too, traversed a huge stretch of country in his geological explorations, his predictions as to the deposits of gold being uncannily correct. As has been noted, Sir Julius Von Haast made a geological survey of the west coast of Nelson,