398 Transactions. — Geology. 



common fern mixed with Phor'niium tenax, koromiko, tutii, ti, etc. A few 

 patclies 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 [Phormiurri tenax) rushes, raupo, etc. In 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 eficct 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, B.M., by Te Manihera, of Wairarapa, and translated by Mr. Joseph 

 Freeth :— 



" The greater portion of the peninsula was formerly occupied by Bangitane, 

 but at what date the occupation commenced is not known. The history 

 commences from Te Berewa (a Bangitane) who it is supposed erected the pa 

 called Oruaite. The principal chiefs who occupied the pa were Te Berewa, 

 Te Huataki, Bangitahatiti, and Tukanae. After the great cession of lands by 

 Te Berewa to Ngatikahungunu the Bangitanes 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 



