CHAP. XXVII. j TAURANGA. 403 



the eastern coast, and having thus seen a large part 

 of the interior, I came to the conclusion that there 

 is no regular system of a mountain-range running 

 through the island. The hills which I passed from 

 Rotu-rua to Tauranga are tufaceous ; they are of 

 moderate height and undulating, and, although 

 their surface is wooded, the depth of the vegetable 

 soil and the tufaceous substratum leaves no doubt 

 in my mind that the whole coast district, down to 

 and even beyond Hawke's Bay, will in future times 

 form a very rich country ; and that the natural 

 outlet of its produce, from its easy communication 

 with the valley of the Waiho, or Thames, will be 

 the Gulf of Hauraki. 



Tauranga has only been visited by small vessels 

 of about two hundred tons. Although over the 

 bar there are four fathoms water, the channel is 

 very narrow, not being more than one hundred 

 yards in breadth ; and from its bending at a sharp 

 angle, large craft would have great difficulty in en- 

 tering it. Its southern headland is formed by a 

 solitary conical hill, Maunga-nui, of about five 

 hundred feet in height, which is connected by low 

 land with the main. It consists of basaltic lava, 

 large blocks of which lie on the sides and are 

 strewed around its base. There are many traces of 

 a former and very extensive native village on its 

 sides ; but in consequence of its being exposed to 

 the attacks of a tribe of Rotu-rua natives, who live 

 at Muketu, it has been deserted, and the natives 



2 D 2 



