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and Queen Victoria. These names were not adopted. Still proceeding south, Harper and Tarapuhi reached Big Bay. Here they stayed some time, then came back to the Taramakau by easy stages, many Maoris accompanying them. At the Taramakau, Locke was met, having recovered completely and at once preparations were made for a return journey across the alps. Tarapuhi was engaged as guide, as two of the natives who had made the trip over decided to remain. On this occasion the party went as far as possible up the river in canoes, and in eight days they had reached the top of the pass and had crossed into Canterbury. Here they met with bad weather and were snowed up for some time. To make matters worse their clothes, which were torn to pieces, gave but little protection against the intense cold. Somehow or other they managed to battle their way on to Lake Sumner, where they sheltered in a shepherd’s hut for some time before proceeding to Christchurch. The whole trip occupied over three months and was very strenuous throughout, great hardships being suffered. At the same time much valuable information was obtained, the most notable being the fact that gold was to be found in many places. Some splendid specimens were obtained and brought back to the Provincial Government officials, but they, fearing a wave