92 AROUND THE WORLD VIA INDIA. 



sharp shell lines and scrolls are cut in the superficial 

 parts of the skin, always radiating from the nose, and 

 into these scratches the pigment is rubbed and perma- 

 nently deposited. The women only tattoo the lower 

 lip and chin in straight lines. Christianity has taken 

 the place of paganism, but is not held with much fervor 

 by the people. Pagan customs and superstition remain. 

 Some Maoris have taken to farming and the profes- 

 sions, but the bulk of the race is living in dull idleness, 

 depending on the liberal government for their support. 

 The young people realize the advantages of an educa- 

 tion, and are profiting by the schools located in all of 

 the settlements, as in it they see the only means that 

 will prevent complete extinction of their race. Like all 

 Polynesians, the Maoris have brought their tribute to 

 the altar of civilization. The acute infectious diseases, 

 syphilis and tuberculosis, brought to their islands 

 by the whites, have reduced the population num- 

 bering hundreds of thousands, to something like 

 40,000. In 1891 the native population numbered 

 43,612, of whom 2,119 were half-caste?.. In 1896 the 

 total population of New Zealand was 743.214, of whom 

 39,854 were Maoris and half-castes. Improved sanitary 

 measures and a better appreciation of hygiene by the 

 natives have contributed much in diminishing the mor- 

 tality among the natives, and will, it is to be hoped. 

 prevent the extinction of this noble race. 



THE CITY OF AUCKLAND. 



From the harbor the city of Auckland, with its over 

 60.000 inhabitants, presents a charming sight. It is 

 spread out over a large surface encircling the capacious 

 harbor and perched on many hills. The two-story 

 houses and cottages are built of brick or wood, and 

 manv of the business houses in Queen Street, the main 

 thoroughfare, are solid structures of stone or brick and 

 cement. Most of the streets have asphalt pavements, 

 and are kept scrupulously clean. The electric lighting 



