112 TABLE ISLAND. [PART I. 



To the northward is Evans's Island, the smallest 

 of all, and a mere bare rock, just large enough to 

 contain the huts of the whalers ; but it is the most 

 eligible place for that business. 



By these islands and the southern shore of Kapiti 

 a roadstead is formed, sheltered from the prevailing 

 north-west winds by Kapiti, and from the south- 

 east winds by the three islets, and affording a safe 

 anchorage for vessels. A ship coming from the north- 

 ward, and passing between the mainland and Kapiti, 

 can approach E Hiko's Island within about half a 

 mile, taking care to keep clear of a reef near Evans's 

 Island ; or may enter from the southward between 

 Mayhew's and Evans's Islands in a clear channel. 



The island of Mana, situated twenty miles to 

 the southward of Kapiti, was called by Captain 

 Cook Table Island, from its appearance. It is about 

 three miles in circumference, and is exactly opposite 

 to the outlet of the Pararua River, at the distance 

 of about a mile. Where trees formerly grew, in 

 the hollows and indentations of the land, the soil 

 is good; the rest is covered by fern, native and 

 artificial grasses, and clover, which are all that can 

 grow in the thin layer of vegetable earth that 

 scarcely covers the yellow schistous clay of which 

 the island consists. But this vegetation is suited 

 for the pasture of sheep, of which there are about 

 200 on the island, in very good condition. From 

 this fact we may conclude that the hills of the same 

 appearance around Port Nicholson are equally well 



