CHAP. XXIV.] A CHRISTIAN SETTLEMENT. 365 



by a low strip of land, stretches out into the lake. 

 The alluvium on the banks of the lake is gradually 

 increasing, as is shown by low parallel ridges along 

 the shore, indicating the former margins. Towards 

 evening we passed another large creek nearly oppo- 

 site the outlet of the Waikato, and arrived at Motu- 

 tere, a large pa built on a tongue of land which 

 reaches out into the lake. The natives were few, 

 as the greater part were living at a settlement in 

 the neighbouring hills, where they had their planta- 

 tions. This was a Christian settlement ; and Abe- 

 rahama, or Abraham such was the name of the 

 principal man lodged us in the church. Titipa 

 warmly recommended us to our new entertainers, 

 and the next morning took his departure. He had 

 become so attached to us, that he could scarcely tear 

 himself away. He turned back again and again, 

 to see us once more, and to expatiate upon our 

 merits to those into whose kind keeping he had 

 safely delivered us, and to recommend them to treat 

 us with, the same care as he had done. He had 

 shown himself during the whole period of our ac- 

 quaintance with him a noble fellow, and of the 

 most generous and disinterested disposition. 



The rocks near Motutere at some places ap- 

 proach close to the banks of the Taupo lake, at 

 others retreat farther inland, where they form high 

 cliffs. They are composed of a clayey lava, some- 

 times hard and basaltic, sometimes striped like jas- 



