97 



millions, tlic estimated cost of the project, wliicli was to be 

 repaid by the confiscation of part of the natives' land and by 

 the increased customs and other revenue. Owing to the 

 presence of a large body of troops a road was made across the 

 ranges without serious opposition and a redoubt (called after 

 our gracious Queen) established on the plain beyond. Nobly 

 did the Maories fight at Kohiroa, Rangiriri, and Orakau, but 

 they were no match for superior numbers and disciphne, and 

 eventually they retired to their mountain fastnesses, leaving 

 the whole valley a prey to their conquerors. 



It was necessary to complete the first part of the plan the 

 Waikato conquest should be connected with the Bay of Plenty, 

 but what was to be done ? The natives were loyal, and, with 

 some exceptions, well-behaved. Orders were sent for the 

 troops to march over their land occasionally. They resented 

 this, and built a strong pa at the gate or entrance to their 

 property. Reinforcements were hurried to Tauranga, and the 

 position was taken after a desperate resistance. The Maories 

 made one more effort to entrench themselves at the Bay of 

 Plenty, but were defeated with great loss. The conquest 

 sufficient for the chain of posts was complete. Unfortunately 

 for the settlers, the Whitaker Fox-Ministry were replaced by 

 men of Southern proclivities, the money was not forthcoming, 

 the government steamers which supplied the transport on the 

 Waikato are to be sold, and the pledges made to the military 

 settlers by one set of ministers have been ignored by their 

 successors. They might at least have built them the promised 

 blockhouses to enable them to hold their land in troublous 

 times. At present their only defences are slight works of 

 earth and fern here and there, and their arms. In such 

 situations they are to be left with their diminished numbers : 

 we may therefore expect to hear of disasters, and either a 

 warfare like that which was carried on with the North 

 American tribes, or that the object gained by the exertions of 

 our troops has been abandoned. 



The soil Tauranga is of a deep volcanic nature and the set- 

 tlers who have land there so near a good harbor are fortunate. 

 The country of the upj^er Waikato is curiously formed, 

 consisting of a series of plains or flats at different levels. The 

 uj^per level at Cambridge, our farthest advanced post, is very 

 good, rich soil. The river is rapid between Cambridge and 

 Alexandra, at the confluence of the Waipa and Waikato. By 

 the way the river is often erroneously named Horatiu in maps. 

 Horatiu is the name of a district, not of the river. The soil 

 below the junction of the rivers is not so good it being sandy 

 in places. 



There is a mine close to the river producing coal fit for 



