Wektm AH. —Notes on tJie Great Bayrier Island. 79 



Making twenty-seven of luire Moriori descent, and five 

 half-breeds. The Maoris on the islands number about two 

 hundred and fifty souls, and there is roughly about the same 

 number of a white population. 



The island (Rekohu) is an exceedingly pleasant place of 

 residence. The sea surrounding it equalises the temperature 

 very much, and prevents extremes of heat and cold. The 

 island in many places is extremely fertile, and I never saw 

 niore beautiful soil than tlie land at Owhenga, on the eastern 

 side, near the large Moriori Reserve. 



It would be desirable, if possible, for the society to acquire 

 the large collection of axes, clubs, &c., of stone now in the 

 possession of Mr. Clough. They could be obtained, I believe, 

 for a very moderate price, and it would be a pity for such a 

 collection (which could never be replaced) to find its way into 

 the possession of private persons and tourists. Among other 

 curiosities is a bone dagger, about 9in. long, the blade' being 

 about 4iin. in length, with a double edge. I do not know o'f 

 any other Polynesian people having used the dagger except 

 the Hawaiians (of course I do not refer to the common 

 bamboo knife of the South Seas), but Tapu assured me that 

 the weapon was known and used by the ancient Moriori. 



Art. YIIl.—Notes on the Great Barrier Island 



By Sidney Weetman, F.E.G.S. 

 [Read before the Auckland Institute, 22nd July, 1889.] 

 Early in July, 1885, I was sent to the Great Barrier Island 

 to execute some surveys for the Government; and, although 

 it was supposed at the time that the work would occupy only 

 about two or three months, yet, owing to the rough nature of 

 the island and to additional surveys being required, we re- 

 mained there within a few days of a year, leaving it on the 

 11th June, 1886, the day after the 'memorable Tarawera 

 eruption, which we distinctly heard, but, of course, did not 

 know what it was. 



Although the Barrier lies only about fifty-two miles from 

 Auckland in a north-east direction, very little seems to be 

 known even by old Aucklanders as to its extent, formation, 

 and capabilities— so little, indeed, that I have heard more 

 than one person speak of it as only a rock, and wonder what 

 we could possibly find to do there for a whole vear ; and I 

 have been asked whether in that time we surveyed the whole 

 island, to which I was compelled to confess that we had sur- 

 veyed—or, rather, resurveyed— only a very small portion of it. 



