Started at 7.0 a.m. and steering an average course of west by north, ascended the high land on the north bank of the Greenough.  For the first hour the hills were of red sandstone, very steep and rocky, producing little but coarse scrub; some of the valleys and lower hills were well grassed; the country then improved, the hills being of the coal formation, and the limestones forming very rich and grassy hills.  At 9.40 the granite and gneiss formed a basis of the high sandstone-topped hills, which rose about 500 feet on each side of the valley.  At 10.15 crossed to the left bank of the river, and re-crossed to the right at 11.10.  The lower parts of the valley were not so rich or well grassed as the hills, but would afford excellent summer feed for sheep.  Having dined, and given our horses an hour’s feed on the rich grass which grew in the bed of the river (which here turned to the south), we continued our route.  After an hour’s ride over rich grassy hills, reached the foot of Wizard’s Peak.  Here we left our horses and ascended the hill; arrived at the summit, to our great surprise, instead of the scrubby and sterile country described by Captain Stokes of the Beagle, beautiful grassy hills, stretching from north to south-east, met our view to the extent of about 20,000 acres; had it not been certain, from bearings to Mount Fairfax and other hills, that we were on Wizard Peak, I should have suspected its identity.  Leaving Wizard Peak at 2.30 p.m., steered north along the western foot of the grassy range.  The country to the east consists of grassy hills of limestone, rich in fossil remains of wood and shells, with an occasional granite hill producing coarse grass or short scrub; to the west the country was more level, but less grassy, and in many parts scrubby.  We fell in with some of the natives, who appeared friendly disposed.  Crossed the Chapman at 6.5, and arrived at the camp at 7.15.

28th October.

Left the camp at 7.40 a.m., steering north-west.  Made the stream previously called the Buller at 9.0; followed it downwards to the south-south-west till 11.0, when it became evident that, instead of being the Buller, it was the north branch of the Chapman.  The land on its banks was not generally good, although some fine patches of grass were seen.  Leaving the stream, we ascended Moresby’s Range; the valleys and sides of the hills were covered with fine grass, and the sandstone rocks were rich with fossil remains of shells and wood.  With some difficulty we descended the western face of the hills; after which, an hour’s ride over a scrubby plain brought us to the mouth of the Chapman River, running strongly over a ledge of limestone rock into the sea.  We crossed the river, and over to the usual landing-place in Champion Bay; we then returned to the Chapman, and halted for the night.

29th October.

Two of the horses having broken from their tether during the night, we were obliged to put the three saddles on the remaining horse, and proceed to track the stray horses; after tracking them about two miles, we found them on their way back to the camp.  We then rode along the western foot of Moresby’s Range, and ascended Mount Fairfax; after taking sketches and bearings, we steered for the encampment, and reached it about 2.0 p.m.