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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 4 (August 1, 1929)

The Sick and Weary Explorer

The Sick and Weary Explorer.

Diary entry, in a miserable bush shelter at the Matakitaki:

“May 15th, 1848.—Heavy fall of snow. Kehu collecting ti roots. The river much swollen. I was seized with violent vomiting, which lasted all day and night, and my side gave me much pain. I attributed it to the badness of the living and exposure to the cold weather.”

A few days later: “Camped on the banks of the Tiraumea. Rain… . We proceeded to our shelter of last year, an overhanging rock, which protected us from the rain, and there dried our clothes. A small basket of mine, which was hanging to the roof of our rock, fell down on page 36 the fire during the night, and was burnt, by which I lost all my sketches, several skins of birds, some curiosities, two letters which I carried for the Messrs. Deans, in case I had crossed over to the East coast, and some memorandums.”

Some days later Brunner and his Maoris reached the shore of Lake Rotoiti, and found their canoe safe. They came to the river Puhawini, named the Howard, and camped, in fearful weather—snow, rain and a fresh in the river. Civilisation now was near; they went on and saw some sheep on the Rotoiti hills.

“… each spot is rich with endless joys
Of leaf and fern.”

(Government Publicity Photo.) A pretty scene in the Buller Gorge.

(Government Publicity Photo.)
A pretty scene in the Buller Gorge.