92 FALLS OF THE 



sides scarped — they were the remahis of former for- 

 tifiedvillag-es or palis. At length the estuary nar- 

 rowed^ and assumed the appearance of a winding 

 river^ with low^ hilly banks covered with fern and 

 bushes. One and a half miles from this broug-ht us 

 to a rocky ledg-e across the stream^ preventing- further 

 prog-ress in the boat^ and marking* the junction of 

 the fresh and salt water. 



Here Mr. Kemp^ a schoolmaster of the Church 

 Mission Society^ has been located for upwards of 

 thirty years. A well built store, a neat cottag'e and 

 g'arden, and residences for a few Maories, complete 

 the establishment. From this place a dray road 

 leads to the extensive Missionary estabhshment at 

 "VVaimate, distant about ten miles. Crossing- the 

 river, we started for the falls, in charg-e of a sharp 

 little urchin who acted as g-uide. After leaving- the 

 narrow valley which the river has cut for itself 

 through a superstratum of yellowish clay, the coun- 

 try becomes nearly level— a dreary plain, covered 

 with fern and the manuka bush. The extensive 

 tract of country now in sight is said to have once 

 been a o-reat kauri forest — a fcAV of these noble trees 

 (Daimnara Australis) were pointed out to me from 

 a distance. When about half way we left the road, 

 and within the distance of a mile our guide contrived 

 to lead us into five or six bogs, where we were up to 

 our knees in water, besides entangling us in several 

 thickets nearly as bad to penetrate as an Australian 



