Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 3, Issue 1, October 1974
Discovery
Discovery
In 1858 James Mackay and John Lockett crossed the Tableland from the Cobb on an exploration journey to the headwaters of the Karamea River. On this journey they named Mt Peel, Mt Lockett, and the Diamond Lakes.
In 1863 Thomas Salisbury travelled from Pokororo up the left bank of the Graham River until he reached the junction of the north and south branches. He crossed the north branch and climbed the steep face in front of him to a leading spur on Lodestone. From the top of Lodestone he saw open tussock country to the north-west. From Lodestone Salisbury blazed a track via the spurs of Mt Arthur and Gordon Pyramid to the tussock country which was named Salisbury Open. A week later he returned to Pokororo little the worse for the journey. Salisbury's route became the first track to the Tableland. It was on this track in 1870, probably on Lodestone, that Herbert Grooby was lost and perished. No trace of him was ever found. (I have climbed Lodestone and enjoyed the same view that Salisbury saw, and have a considerable respect for his journey). The present day Tableland track was not made until 1878 and until this date diggers and stock have used Salisbury's route.