260 [PART n. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Wairoa, Kaipara. 



PROCEEDING from the head of the Kaua-kaua to 

 the Wairoa, the principal stream which flows into 

 the harbour of Kaipara on the western coast, we 

 follow the windings of a fresh-water stream, which 

 joins the inlet of the sea, and on the banks of which 

 the neat and well-tended plantations of the natives 

 indicate a growing industry. After crossing over 

 some hills we are again led into the valley of the 

 river ; and here the eye is attracted by picturesque 

 groups of limestone, which in various shapes crop 

 out at the slope of the neighbouring hills, often 

 resembling ruined castles or towers, sometimes half- 

 concealed amongst beautiful tree-ferns and other 

 trees. The valley forms a basin of alluvial and 

 very fertile soil, as is indicated by the coriaria, 

 draceena, and phormium, which only grow in the 

 best situations. The name of the valley, as well as 

 of the river, is Waiomio. From this point to the 

 part where the Wairoa first begins to be navigable 

 for large beats is a good day's journey. The coun- 

 try consists mostly of low but steep hills, on which 



