490 Transactions.— Miscellaneous, 
to the island if we except the vast cliffs of obsidian. Possibly there are 
many geological treasures amongst the volcanic débris in the crater, many 
of the specimens brought away being new to me, but my knowledge of 
geology is very limited. 
I propose now to describe the principal places and objects of interest in 
detail, starting with the landing place at Opo Bay, which is the only one of 
any size in the island. It is situated on the south-eastern curve, and is 
well sheltered from all but east or south-east winds, and affords a safe refuge 
for small craft, the anchorage being good and the landing on a nice sandy 
beach equally so. The bay is very picturesque, having most beautiful 
arches washed out in the basaltic cliffs by the action of the waves, which 
are overhung with grand old pohutukawas. It is a fine sight to see a heavy 
south-east sea breaking into this bay, dashing its waves into the caves and 
against the glittering cliffs of obsidian. In the south-west corner of the 
Bay is situated Te Panui, where all the present inhabitants live, and on the 
flat on the south side are their cultivations, about 25 acres in extent; here 
they cultivate potatoes, kumara, corn, and tobacco, and, in the way of 
fruit, strawberries and raspberries, all of which grow very well. 
The pa before mentioned is a very strong position ; from the seaward side 
it is only accessible by climbing up perpendicular cliffs of basalt, pumice, and 
obsidian. The natives make use of a rough ladder, by which they descend 
to the foot of the cliffs, where hauled up on the beach they keep their canoes. 
The pa is situated about one hundred feet above sea-level. In the good old 
times of Maori history many a hard fight and cannibal feast took place at 
this pa. There are also in addition two other pas of note situated in the same 
bay, viz., Okotore and Tikitikinahoa, both of which are very strong positions, 
particularly the latter. Tough fights have taken place here, the ground 
being full of the bones of those who fell in the fray; a heavy gale blowing 
into the bay during the time that I was camped there, the waves washed 
out many skulls, which i in some cases showed the impression of the crushing 
blow which ended some warrior’s career. Turning from war to peace and 
industry, we find situated near the centre of the bay two weather-boarded 
sheds, which were built by the natives some eight years ago as the nucleus 
of a whaling station, the timber having been brought from Tairua in a 
cutter. They also purchased whaleboats and all necessary gear, but the 
enterprise turned out a failure. I asked one native, why? He replied, 
“ that the whales would not stop to be caught ! " 
At the head of one of the wooded glens, running inland from the bay, 
and about twelve chains from the beach, is situated one of the few springs 
to be found on the island. It is a bad one, the supply being very scanty, 
the water only dripping from the rock slowly into a hole made to receive it, 
