334 WAIPA RIVER. [PART n. 



valley, as there the coast-hills are lowest ; but 

 Kawia has a finer harbour, and Nature has pointed 

 out that place as a most advantageous site for a 

 township. It must, moreover, not be forgotten that 

 the valley of the Waipa has an almost uninterrupted 

 water-communication with Waitemata or Auckland. 



The natives who inhabit the Waipa belong to 

 the tribe of the Waikato, and live in small but well- 

 peopled villages : they are, perhaps, the finest set of 

 people in New Zealand, are familiarized with Eu- 

 ropeans, and very anxious to receive them into their 

 country. There is a great demand among them 

 for European commodities, which will create a lively 

 intercourse between both races. 



A great part of this country is not yet sold, but 

 the chiefs have made numerous applications to Her 

 Majesty's Government on the subject. 



The Waikato river, although a considerable and 

 deep stream after it issues from Lake Taupo, and 

 towards its outlet after its junction with the 

 Waipa, is of less consequence than the Waipa, as in 

 the middle part of its course the navigation with 

 canoes or boats, if not actually interrupted, is yet 

 rendered difficult by rapids, and the country through 

 which it flows is bad above Maunga-Tautari, being 

 composed of a pumiceous or tufaceous gravel. To 

 convert the river throughout its course into a canal, 

 if such a measure should at any future time be re- 

 quired, would not, I conceive, be very difficult, as it 

 has steep banks and a sufficient supply of water. 



