92 FALLS OF THE 



sides scarped — they were the remains of former for- 

 tifiedvillag-es or pahs. At length the estuary nar- 

 rowed, and assumed the appearance of a winding 

 river, with low hilly hanks covered with fern and 

 hushes. One and a half miles from this hrought us 

 to a rock)' ledge across the stream, preventing farther 

 progress in the boat, and marking the junction of 

 the fresh and salt water. 



Here Mr. Kemp, a schoolmaster of the Church 

 Mission Society, has been located for upwards of 

 thirty years. A well built store, a neat cottage and 

 garden, and residences for a few Maories, complete 

 the establishment. From this place a dray road 

 leads to the extensive Missionary establishment at 

 Waimate, distant about ten miles. Crossing the 

 I'i^er, we started for the falls, in charge of a sharp 

 little urchin who acted as guide. After leaving the 

 narrow valley which the river has cut for itself 

 through a superstratum of j^ellowish clay, the coun- 

 try becomes nearly level — a dreary plain, covered 

 T\dth fern and the manuka bush. The extensive 

 tract of country now in sight is said to have once 

 been a great kauri forest — a few of these noble trees 

 {Dammara Australis) were pointed out to me from 

 a distance. When about half way we left the road, 

 and within the distance of a mUe our ffuide contrived 

 to lead us into five or six bogs, where we were up to 

 our knees in water, besides entangling us in several 

 thickets nearly as bad to penetrate as an Australian 



