236 WANGAROA HARBOUR. [PART II. 



rocks on the northern head. The water in the 

 entrance is of great depth close to the rocks, and 

 there is no sunken rock or other hidden danger 

 below the surface. This volcanic conglomerate 

 overlies a formation of volcanic ashes, which con- 

 tains carbonized remains of fern and wood. 



Nearly opposite Waihi a dome-like elevation 

 crowns a pyramidical wooded hill, called Hakiri : 

 the top of this cupola is accessible, although with 

 great difficulty, and served in former days as a re- 

 treat for the natives. Its formation is a decompos- 

 ing trachite, and it has probably been pushed up 

 into its dome-like shape through the basaltic rock 

 which is seen at its base ; or it may have wasted 

 away to that shape from the effects of rain and cli- 

 mate. To the northward are the hills which sepa- 

 rate Wangaroa from Mango-nui, and which are 

 called Tara Tara : their step-like outlines give us 

 an insi ht into their formation. The south side of 

 the harbour is likewise rocky, and consists of much 

 fissured wakke and basalt. The harbour itself is 

 very spacious and deep, possesses anchorage for the 

 largest fleet, and is sheltered from all winds. As ;i 

 harbour it ranks with the best in New Zealand, 

 and the beauty of its scenery is nowhere surpassed. 

 There is, however, but little available land in its 

 immediate neighbourhood : to the northward the 

 sea forms some inlets with flats, which are over- 

 grown with trees ; and kauri-timber is found on 

 the neighbouring hills, but at some distance from 



