CHAP. XII.] NORTHERN ISLAND. 203 



mass or layer of firm rock violently broken and 

 heaved up by gaseous vapours. The highest of the 

 hills, called Hairoa, is visible at some distance from 

 the eastern coast, and an arm of the estuary of Pa- 

 renga-renga, extending to within about three miles 

 of its base. It rises almost to a point, so that there 

 is scarcely room for a man to stand on. A little 

 below the summit the hill is pierced by a vault, 

 which serves as a frame through which to view the 

 surrounding country. The worn surface of the 

 hard rock, which is visible at about 300 feet above 

 the level of the sea, does net appear to have resulted 

 from the effects of air and rain, but rather from 

 the long-continued action of the sea beating upon 

 the deposited and conglomerated pebbles after the 

 mass had been elevated and rent asunder by earth- 

 quakes. 



The whole of this place is called by the natives 

 Kapowairua (literally, a spirit which has become 

 night that is, has been annihilated). It was once 

 occupied by the tribe of the Haupouri, under their 

 leader E' Ongi, surnamed Cape (North Cape), to 

 distinguish him from the renowned E Ongi of the 

 Bay of Islands ; they were attacked by Pane Kar- 

 eao, the chief of the Rarewa tribe at Kaituia, who 

 had been called in by E' Ongi's own people to pre- 

 vent the aggressions of their chief. E' Ongi was 

 taken by surprise at the dawn of the morning, and 

 killed, together with a great many of his people ; the 

 rest were obliged to leave their native land, and to 



