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natives at the south end of Lake Taupo ai*e shut out from a view of this 

 mountain by intervening hills ; while those living further north are too remote 

 for correct observation. Consequently many phenomena may occur which are 

 not observed. On the north-west flank of TongaiT.ro, outside the crater, there 

 is a lai'ge puia or hot spring, said to be a specific for certain diseases. 



At Tokanu there is a very large area penetrated by hot springs, both in 

 the delta, and on the surrounding hills ; more particularly at Terapa, where 

 the late chief Te Heu Heu was smothered by the hill side slipping down and 

 overwhelming his pa in a torrent of mud. When I had seen the line of hot 

 springs extending up the side of the hill whence the mass had fallen, I saw no 

 difficulty in accounting for the catastrophe. 



The hot springs, of course, decompose and soften the rocks, and afterwards, 

 by the soaking of rain, slips are brought down. 



At Tokanu I found gravel of slates and of quartz, probably derived from 

 Kaimanawa. The hot springs here are very interesting. 



The obsequies of Te Herekiekie were proceeding, and many hundreds of 

 Maoris were present. The tangi and other ceremonies were going on all day. 

 The weather was rainy, and what with a damp muggy atmosphere, and the 

 steam of the hot springs, the climate was most relaxing. 



I was anxious to visit Kaimanawa, but the Maoris showed so much passive 

 resistance in the way of delays, that I was obliged at last to give up the idea. 

 They were in an excited state, and although perfectly civil, they watched every 

 movement we made. 



From Tokanu we procured guides to the Upper Whanganui. Proceeding 

 by canoe to Pukawa, we passed the lovely falls of Waihi. At Pukawa I met 

 the late Iwikau te Heu Heu, and called on the Rev. Mr. Grace, the missionaiy 

 of the district. In his house 1 "assisted" at a dinner in the collegiate style, 

 called " commons," where all the scholars and every member of the household 

 are seated at the same board. Pumice was largely employed in the construction 

 of Mr. Grace's house, and he strongly recommended it as a building material. 



From Pukawa we proceeded over an open pumice country, with very fine 

 grass, on which we observed a flock of sheep belonging to the Maoris, as also a 

 few cattle. After passing for some distance to the westward, we opened out 

 splendid views of the volcanic group. The open plains are called the Rua 

 Mata. At the entrance of the Whanganui bush we were obliged to find 

 shelter from a furious thunderstorm, and to remain for the night. Here I was 

 enabled to get good outline sketches of the volcanic group. 



Entering the Whanganui bush on the following morning, we had a hard 

 day's journey before we struck the Whanganui river, at a place called Terena. 

 During the day we crossed a stx*eam called the Waipare, and I found its bed 

 composed of old slates with thin quartz veins. It was a matter of crossing 

 two or three yards in which these slates were visible, but it was a great point 

 to find that a base of slates was here to be found, and to form some idea of 

 the thickness of tertiaries above them. As far as I could judge of a country 

 covered by dense bush, I supposed the overlying rocks to be upper tertiary 

 sandstones. 



Terena is a pretty spot. We here struck the Whanganui on its right 

 bank, and forded to the opposite shore. Proceeding down stream, we next 

 forded the Whakapapa. In fording the Whanganui and its tributaries, which 

 we had to do frequently, we had to hold on to poles held by all the party. 

 The rivers were rapid and cold, and the stones being slippery, crossing was not 

 unattended with danger. 



Camping on the sand bank of the river to avoid the mosquitos, we started 

 on the following morning, and reached the village of Tapuia Ivumera, the 

 residence, at that time, of Topini Te Mauiako, the principal chief of the Upper 



