CHAP. VII.] MOUNT EGMONT. 139 



them at bay, with the help of Mr. Barret and eight 

 other European traders, who at that time lived with 

 them in the village. Three pieces of cannon in their 

 possession made great havoc amongst the Waikato. 

 The exasperation on both sides was great, and the 

 prisoners captured at occasional sorties were de- 

 voured. The Waikato at last raised the siege and 

 returned to Kawia; nevertheless the Nga-te-awa 

 resolved to quit the district, and, 2000 in number, 

 they started together with the Europeans. This 

 took place in November,, 1832. At a second attack 

 the Waikato destroyed the pa, of which now scarcely 

 any vestige remains, with the exception of the 

 fosses; the cannons had been spiked by the Nga- 

 te-awa on their departure, and were still lying on 

 the beach. 



South of Sugarloaf Point to Cape Egmont and 

 Waimati, the country, as I ascertained from many 

 subsequent excursions, slopes very slowly from Mount 

 Egmont to the sea-coast. In fact, the country is so 

 level round the base of Mount Egmont that the latter 

 seems almost to rise immediately from the plain. The 

 coast forms a cliff of moderate height, and consists 

 of a yellowish sandy loam an excellent substratum 

 for a rich mould which covers the top, and which 

 increases in depth towards the foot of the mountain. 

 Near the sea-shore the soil is light, intermixed with 

 sand. In general the land for three or four miles 

 from the coast is open, and covered with a uniform 

 vegetation, especially of flax or fern ; in the little 



