CHAP. XXI.] MANUKAO HARBOUR. 295 



undulating and fertile land, which extends from 

 Onehunga towards the Waikato. There is a second 

 channel on that side of the harbour ; and a channel 

 for boats extends towards an arm of the Waikato 

 river the Awaroa with a very easy portage of 

 two miles and a half. 



The south head is a remarkable steep hill of white 

 moveable sand, heaped up by north-westerly gales ; 

 the northern head, however, is a black conglomerate 

 of a rugged shape. 



Although the harbour of Manukao has a bar at 

 the entrance, there is a deep and free channel three- 

 quarters of a mile broad close to the northern head. 

 Once between the heads, the channel is deep and 

 free from danger. 



The tide is full two hours and three-quarters later 

 in Manukao than at Waitemata, and rises to ten 

 feet and a half. 



A regular survey of this harbour, and, indeed, of 

 all the harbours on the western coast of the northern 

 island, is still wanting. This deficiency has probably 

 arisen from the coast being a lee-shore, and conse- 

 quently being more difficult to survey ; but it is evi- 

 dent that that very circumstance renders it more 

 important that it should be well surveyed. 



Manukao is evidently a place of some importance, 

 from its near neighbourhood to Auckland, and the 

 facility of communication with that town and the 

 river Waikato. The best anchorage, and all the 

 timber, and, moreover, a very good situation for a 



