398 Transactions.— Geology. 
common fern mixed with Phormium tenax, koromiko, tutu, ti, ete. A few 
patches of bush filled some of the gullies, but in general the forest had been 
destroyed, 
The flat may be said to have been chiefly occupied by water. A shallow 
lake, called by Colonel Wakefield Burnham Water, spread over about 200 
acres of the central area, and the water from it extended up the large swamps 
both to north and south, lying in general nearly flush with the surface of the 
swamps. These swamps were composed of a mass of vegetation, of from four 
to seven feet thick, while in a wet state, lying upon the sand or gravel, the 
plants consisting of flax (Phormium tenax) rushes, raupo, ete. 1n the northern 
swamp a flax stick could in any part be easily pushed down to a depth of 
six or seven feet before it struck upon the hard sand. 
The depasturing of cattle and sheep, with a considerable surface-sowing of 
English grasses, has had the effect of almost entirely destroying the common 
fern on the hills, and replacing it with a close sward of a considerable variety 
of English grasses, mixed with a proportion of those indigenous to the country. 
Finding it impossible to keep open an outlet into Lyall Bay for the 
drainage of the flat ground, I determined to drive a tunnel from Evans Bay 
through the narrow ridge which separates that bay from Burnham Water. This 
work was first executed in the year 1849, and was subsequently enlarged and 
further extensive drainage works carried on in the year 1859. The result has 
been that the water-level has been lowered about six feet, that the swamps 
have solidified, and the former vegetation which covered them has been replaced 
by a sward of English grasses, and that the former bed of Burnham Water is 
being rapidly covered with grass. 
The following information relative to the peninsula was furnished to Mr. 
Wardell, R.M., by Te Manihera, of Wairarapa, and translated by Mr. Joseph 
Freeth :— 
“The greater portion of the peninsula was formerly occupied by Rangitane, 
but at what date the occupation commenced is not known. The history 
commences from Te Rerewa (a Rangitane) who it is supposed erected the pa 
called Oruaite. The principal chiefs who occupied the pa were Te Rerewa, 
Te Huataki, Rangitahatiti, and Tukanae. After the great cession of lands by 
Te Rerewa to Ngatikahungunu the Rangitanes crossed over to the other 
island (Aropaoa). The Oruaite pa was then occupied by Ngatikahukura- 
awhitia, a hapu of Ngatikahungunu, and by Ngatihakeke, the principal chief 
being Kaingakiore. During his time war was carried on against Ngatika- 
hungunu by Ngatiapa and Wanganui. Ten battles were fought in the 
vicinity of Oruaite as marked on the map. While the tenth battle was raging 
Kaingakiore consulted with his chiefs as to the desirability of going outside the 
pa and fighting the enemy on the open ground. His chiefs and his son did 
