Fresh Beauties.

As we steadily push on we are met by a stiff beacuse cornes down from the head of the [unclear: lake] the steamer exhibits a measure of [unclear: liveliness] which gives a sufficient indication of what might be expected in a storm on Manapouri. We soon got out of the pitching, how-[unclear: for] the little steamer rounds a point, and [unclear: ring] the north arm pursues her way in [unclear: other] water. Fresh beauties meet us at [unclear: y] turn. We pass close by the beetling [unclear: in] water of unknown depths. Up to the [unclear: line] on the mountain tops the beech forest [unclear: tches] in thickest growth; the rata every-where gladdens the eye with its brilliant [unclear: es] of red; through the bush the silver [unclear: ir] of snow-fed watercourses gleam in [unclear: ir] precipitous descent to the lake. On [unclear: left,] as we make our way to [unclear: e] head of the arm, we pass by a [unclear: did] waterfall, It is a sight worth look-[unclear: g] at with its foaming water dashing down a [unclear: pitou] course of perhaps 500ft. We have board, in addition to the younger Mr Dore, [unclear: uncle] of the same name, who is very deeply [unclear: sted] in this waterfall, and who has spent [unclear: ry] many years in the Manapouri district, [unclear: s] theory is that the waterfall must be fed [unclear: a] take somewhere in the surrounding [unclear: ios], and he arrives at this conclusion [unclear: use] practically the same body of water [unclear: nues] to flow in dry seasons as in wet. At [unclear: nt] for example, nearly all the snow has [unclear: from] the adjacent mountain tops, and [unclear: t] notwithstading this and the dry sea-[unclear: there] is a fine body of water coming down the fall. The surrounding mountains have never been explored, and there is here an interesting question for solution by some one who has the time and requisite physique for the work. It would probably involve camping out for a few days, and if any of our athletic young citizens should feel inclined to make a small beginning in exploring, here is an opportunity; but the work should only be undertaken under competent guidance.

Between 12 and 1 o'clock we reach the head of the arm, into which the Freemanburn pours its green-looking" water. The day is hot, and we soon find that we have anchored in a particularly warm comer of the lake. There is not a breath of wind, and the hot sun beats down on the white granite pebbles and sand with which the river and neighbouring creeks have covered the shore. We decide to have lunch on the steamer before landing, and the billy is quickly boiled in the stokehole in some mysterious manner which I did not investigate, and the contents of a wellfilled basket as quickly spread in tempting array.