414 NEW ZEALAND. 



fierce aspect, and serve to disguise the expression, yet I cannot but 

 believe that his true feelings are developed in it. His face indicates 

 any thing but a kingly character. Perhaps his reputation for busi- 

 ness may have something to do with the impression his physiognomy 

 produced. He told me he had two wives, but it-is generally believed 

 that thirty would be nearer the truth. The favourite one usually 

 accompanies him ; she is highly spoken of for her good sense, and 

 Pomare is said to place much confidence in her judgment. She was 

 the best-looking native I saw in New Zealand, but would not be 

 called handsome elsewhere. The missionaries have not yet been 

 able to produce any effect upon Pomare or the family connected with 

 him. Pomare' s chief warrior is Mauparawa, who has been persuaded 

 to remain with him, although a native of Hauaki, on the river 

 Thames. 



Mauparawa is a much finer-looking man than Pomare, — in appear- 

 ance a very Hercules ; but the effects of dissipation are beginning to be 

 perceived in his powerful frame. He has long been a favourite with the 

 whites, who admire him for his prowess. Many of his followers came 

 with him to join Pomare, of whom few are now left ; for in an expe- 

 dition last year he lost almost all of them : having landed on Aoteu 

 or Barrier Island, he was overpowered and badly wounded, barely 

 escaping with life. One of his acts of daring took place in the last 

 feuds with the Kororarikans, by whom he was much detested. 

 Wishing to put a disgrace upon them and show his contempt, he one 

 night took his canoe, and with six of his followers left Pomare's pa 

 or stronghold for Kororarika, the heart of his enemies' strength. He 

 landed there in the midst of his foes, whom he found fast asleep. 

 Drawing up his canoe on the beach, he went to the house of a white 

 man, whom he awoke, and ordered him to give himself and followers 

 some spirits, threatening him, in case of refusal, with instant death. 

 They took their spirits quietly, desiring the man to say to the Koro- 

 rarikans in the morning, that Mauparawa had been there in the 

 night, with some insulting message ; but before leaving, it occurred 

 to him that the man would not have the courage to tell of his visit : 

 he therefore determined to leave his own canoe, (which was very well 

 known,) and take a whale-boat in its stead. All of which was done 

 merely to throw a slur upon his enemies, at the risk of his own life. 



Another person of some note, is a cousin of Pomare's, called 

 Charley Pomare, the son of the former ruling chief of that name. 

 Hoia, the brother of the king, appears to be a stupid fellow. Charley 



