374 NEW ZEALAND. 



their attention was wholly engrossed in seeking a good foothold. The 

 river was again repeatedly crossed. On the way they met natives 

 loaded with baskets of peaches, the season for which had arrived. 

 They freely offered their fruit, for which tobacco was returned. 

 Before noon, they arrived at Baron de Thierry's house, where they 

 were hospitably received by his lady. This house is situated at the 

 head of tide-water on the Hokianga river, about thirty miles from its 

 mouth, and boats can ascend as far as this place. There is no village 

 at the mouth of the river, but many whites reside at different points on 

 its banks. There is a bar between the headlands at its mouth, which 

 will admit only of small vessels entering. 



Our travellers had intended to return the next day, but one of their 

 guides, by the name of Pooe, was missing. He had been allowed to 

 take up his quarters at a short distance, on condition of his being 

 ready for an early start ; on inquiry, however, they were informed 

 that Pooe had said he did not intend to go back until Monday, which 

 was two or three days off. They departed without him, but before 

 reaching Tooron's, Pooe again joined them, having a piece of pork, 

 which one of his friends had furnished for the Doctor's supper. 



Mr. Davis's was reached at dark, and the same warm greeting ex- 

 perienced as before. The next day they reached the Bay of Islands, 

 at Pahia. 



Pahia is the principal missionary establishment of the Episcopal 

 Church. It is pleasantly situated on the bay, opposite Kororarika, and 

 is the residence of all those attached to the mission, and their printing- 

 presses are there. It is too much exposed to afford a good harbour for 

 shipping, but as it is the most favourable side for communication with 

 the interior, the advantages and disadvantages of its position are nearly 

 balanced. 



Kororarika is still the principal settlement, and contains about twenty 

 houses, scarcely deserving the name, and many shanties, besides tents. 

 It is chiefly inhabited by the lowest order of vagabonds, mostly run- 

 away sailors and convicts, and is appropriately named "Blackguard 

 Beach." 



The appointment of the police magistrates was one of the first acts 

 under the new order of things. Mr. Robert Shortland, the first police 

 magistrate, after the illness of Governor Hobson, styled himself acting 

 governor, and a more ridiculously pompous functionary could scarcely 

 be imagined. He paid a visit to the vessel in wdiich some of our 

 gentlemen had made the passage from Sydney, and demanded the 

 reason why the mail-bag had not been sent to the new government 

 postmaster. The master of the vessel replied, that he thought it his 



