TWO PERIODS OF MAORI LIFE 61 



principal open villages on Tufcira extended secure and peaceful on the 

 " grubbed grounds " of the Mangahinahina and on the fertile slopes 

 now called the Racecourse Flat. There were smaller settlements also 

 at Kahikanui and at Te Rewa ; there were isolated whares besides, 

 scattered here and there along the margin of the lake, the homes of 

 outliers, each with its patch of tillage and grove of peach-trees. 



A farther and a final change occurred immediately prior to the 

 taking up of Tutira as a sheep - station. As not long before the 

 fighting forts and heights had been vacated, now the open villages were 

 deserted. A general shrinkage in the native population of New Zealand 

 had drained off the inland tribes and sub-tribes towards the coast, 

 towards warmth, richer lands, food supplies more easily won from sea, 

 lagoon, and river-mouth. Tutira was deserted save as a temporary 

 residence of hunting-parties. 



