White. — On a Maori Stronghold. 397 



brance of the length or breadth of the pits. Certainly the 

 remains of former shellfish feasts gave the locality a home- 

 like aspect. 



Art. XLVIII. — A Maori Stronghold. 

 By Taylor White. 



[Read before the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute.'] 



The old-time pre-pakeha Maori and his history, habits, and 

 mode of life are becoming year by year more interesting. I 

 will now, therefore, endeavour to describe some of the evidence 

 still remaining of the works of the old-time Maori people. 



About the year 1876 or 1877 Mr. McDonnell, who then 

 owned the land known as Eakamoana, near Pohui, showed 

 me the remarkable position which had been selected by Maori 

 people as a refuge from the attack of others of their race, 

 or possibly as a fortified habitation. The site of this fort is 

 in a bend of the Mangaone River — I may state that this river 

 and its afiluent creeks are nearly always on either side em- 

 banked by high precipices of papa rock, in some cases several 

 hundred feet in height, and which are in most cases entirely 

 inaccessible and highly dangerous both to animals and man if 

 unaware of their proximity. 



This pa was situated on a kind of peninsula, being con- 

 nected with the main land by a very narrow neck or passage. 

 On either side of this entrance-passage to the pa was a great 

 precipice, and it was 'easily seen that an assaulting party could 

 only approach it by one or two at a time ; it was terrible to 

 think how the combatants might be thrown both to left and 

 right down this frightful chasm, or that champion fighters of 

 both parties might fall over locked in a tight embrace. 



The interior of the fort was of considerable extent, and 

 was protected on the other two sides by the cliffs, while the 

 more gradual, though still very steep, descent to the river on 

 the fourth side was protected by a ditch and bank, probably 

 at one time carrying a palisaded fence. 



I noticed several remains, still erect, of posts ; very likely 

 the remains of whares, or dwelling-places. I also observed 

 several pits which made me think of rifle-pits, but possibly 

 they were store-places for kumara or other provisions. 



Water would have to be carried from outside the fort up 

 the long and steep ascent from the river. This want of water 

 within the pa was the common defect of Maori forts, and. 



