106 NEW ZEALAND MATS. [PART. I. 



selves, and are found all over New Zealand. The 

 fibres of the Phormium tenax take the dye excel- 

 lently ; and into the borders of these mats figures 

 are woven, of thread dyed black and red, which very 

 much resemble the figures in the ancient Mexican 

 decorations, and are of a very firm texture. There 

 is much intercourse between the European settlers at 

 Kapiti and the natives at Otaki, the principal settle- 

 ment of the Nga-te-raukaua, a trade being carried 

 on between them in pigs and potatoes : and I must 

 repeat my assertion that the hatred of the New 

 Zealander is never directed against the white man, 

 who may travel where he likes, and is -never molested 

 unless his own misconduct give rise to a quarrel. 



