CHAP. XIX.] WAIROA RIVER. 



267 



lives with his tribe, and cultivates the land. The 

 banks of the Wairoa, with the exception of those 

 parts which are of very recent formation, and of the 

 portions which have been cleared by the natives, are 

 covered with a thick forest of timber-trees of all 

 descriptions, but especially the kauri-pine, which 

 is always in the greatest profusion in hilly situa- 

 tions. I am not acquainted with any place in New 

 Zealand where these trees are more plentiful, of 

 greater height and diameter, and of easier access. 

 The natives are constantly employed in felling and 

 squaring them. The consequence is, that they are 

 well supplied with all our commodities. One care- 

 ful chief had collected quite a property from the 

 fruits of his own labour and that of his tribe. As 

 they also cultivate a considerable quantity of ground 

 for their own use, and have a surplus quantity for 

 sale, it may easily be foreseen that, if justly treated 

 by their new government, they will prove in time a 

 valuable and wealthy part of the population of the 

 colony. 



Small vessels can go up the Wairoa as far as the 

 settlement of a Mr. Stephenson, eighty-five miles 

 from the heads of the harbour, where there is a 

 depth of twelve feet ; but only fifteen miles lower 

 down, at the farm of Mr. Forsyth, the river has 

 water and a clear channel for vessels of any burden, 

 and also anchorage close in-shore. 



Timber is likewise found on the banks of all the 

 other tributaries, especially of the Otamatea; and 



