420 Transactions. — Miscellaneous, 



to the island if we except the vast cliffs of obsidian. Possibly there are 

 many geological treasures amongst the volcanic debris 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 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, 



