88 LAND AT KOEORAREKA. 



reddish^ or yeUow colour, from their steepness almost 

 devoid of vegetation. In the morning it was a dead 

 calm, but at length a light air sprang up and 

 carried us into the hay of Kororareka, when we 

 anchored in 4^^ fathoms, mud and sand, off the 

 village of the same name, also known as the town- 

 ship of Russell. 



May nth. — On landing at Kororareka, one finds 

 that what from a distance appear neat and comfort- 

 able cottages lose much hy close inspection. The 

 township consists of about thirty small wooden 

 houses, mixed up with many native hovels. It 

 extends along the shore of a small bay, with a 

 shingly beach in front and a swamp behind. The 

 number of houses was formerly much greater, most 

 of those now existing having been bmlt since May 

 1845, when the greater part of the town was 

 burnt down by the natives. Even now it supports 

 two public houses, and several general stores, ^vhere 

 necessaries may be procured at double the S3'dney 

 prices. At one time much trade was done here, 

 before the duties imposed on the occasion of New 

 Zealand becoming a British colony drove away the 

 Avhalers which used to resort in great numbers to 

 the Bay of Islands to refit ; at present, besides the 

 Rattlesnake, the only vessel here is a brig from 

 Hobarton, bound to Oahfornia, which put in to this 

 place to get a new rudder. Live stock is plentiful 

 and the pi'ices are moderate. 



There are many natives living in the settlement. 



