498 



NEW ZEALAND. 



Dec. 1835. 



of the different parts of the bay, is (as in Chiloe) almost 

 entirely kept np by boats. I was surprised to find that 

 almost every hill, which I ascended, had been at some former 

 time more or less fortified. The summits were cut into steps 

 or successive terraces, and they had been frequently pro- 

 tected by deep trenches. I afterwards observed that the 

 principal hills inland, in like manner showed an artificial out- 

 line. These are the Pas, so frequently mentioned by Captain 

 Cook under the name of " hippah^^ ; the difi'erence of sound 

 being owing to the prefixed article. 



That the Pas had formerly been used, was evident from 

 the piles of shells, and the pits in which, as I was informed, 

 sweet potatoes were kept as reserved provisions. As there 

 was no water on these hills, the defenders could never have 

 anticipated a long siege, but only a hurried attack for plunder ; 

 under which circumstances the successive terraces would 

 have afforded good protection. The general introduction of 

 fire-arms has changed the whole system of warfare ; and an 

 exposed situation on the top of a hill would now be worse 

 than useless. The Pas in consequence, is at the present day, 

 always built on a level piece of ground. It consists of a 

 double stockade of thick and tall posts, placed in a zigzag 

 line, so that every part can be flanked. Within the stockade 

 a mound of earth is thrown up, behind which the defenders 

 can rest in safety, or use their fire-arms over it. On the 

 level of the ground, little archways sometimes pass through 

 this breastwork, by which means the defenders can crawl 

 out to the stockade, to reconnoitre their enemies. The Rev. 

 W. Williams, who gave me this account, added, that in one 

 Pas he had noticed spurs or buttresses projecting from the 

 inside of the mound of earth. On asking the chief the use 

 of them, he replied, that if two or three of his men should 

 be shot their neighbours would not see the bodies, and so 

 be discouraged. 



These Pases are considered by the New Zealanders as very 

 perfect means of defence: for the attacking force is never 

 so well disciplined as to rush in a body to the stockade, cut 



