CHAP. XX.] COROMANDEL HARBOUR. 273 



Coromandel Harbour has been resorted to by ves- 

 sels for the trade in kauri-timber, which is abun- 

 dant on the hills from Cape Colville to Kati Kati, 

 in the Bay of Plenty, about 37 30' S. lat. Kati 

 Kati is the southernmost boundary of this tree on 

 the east coast of New Zealand. The spars were 

 cut by the natives under the direction of the Euro- 

 peans, and shipped either at Mercury Bay or at Co- 

 romandel Harbour. 



A ship-building establishment might be carried 

 on here with advantage, as other excellent timber, 

 besides kauri spars, can be obtained, especially po- 

 hutukaua, perhaps the most durable crooked timber 

 that exists. It must, however, be borne in mind, 

 that, from the rugged nature of the country and 

 from the scantiness of labour, the expenses of bring- 

 ing down the timber would be very great. 



Coromandel Harbour is better adapted for small 

 than for large vessels, as, on account of the shallow- 

 ness of the water, the latter cannot enter far enough 

 to be effectually protected from the outer swell, al- 

 though there is good holding-ground. Provisions 

 of all descriptions, poultry, pigs, and vegetables, can 

 be obtained from the natives at a cheap rate. 



The natives who live in Coromandel Harbour are 

 subdivisions of the Nga-te-paoa, and are called the 

 Nga-te-maru, the Nga-te-tamatera, and the Nga- 

 te-wanaunga. The whole tribe of the Nga-te- 

 paoa amounts to 5000, who do not all live in Coro- 

 mandel Harbour, portions of them being established 



VOL. i. T 



