259 
erf preparing from the leaves of Phormium tenax, the well-known 
New Zealand flax , so highly valued for its durability and tenacity. 
1 hat worthy man attends with equal credit to his spiritual func- 
tions) and Onohunga is indebted to him for a beautiful school- 
house built of massive basalt-stone. In his agreeable company I 
spent many a pleasant day, and in the circle of his amiable family 
I passed many a happy evening. Whenever I Avent to visit the 
cheerful parsonage , homely situated in a small garden , I was always 
certain to meet with some little surprise; for the children also, 
after the example of their energetic parent, rivalled each other 
in industry for collecting curiosities, and had always something 
reserved for me, such as butterflies, beetles, or shells. Thus I 
am indebted to his family for many friendly services and also for 
valuable contributions to my collections. 
Manukau Harbour 1 presents a very extensive sea-basin, hemmed 
in on the North by hills , on the South and East by low flats ; 
its diameter is from 12 to 15 miles. It is crossed by three navi- 
gable channels: the Onehunga, Papakura, and Waiuku Channels 
leading to creeks of the same names , which recede far back into 
the country. The mail-steamers come to anchor in the Onehunga 
Channel at White Bluff, a few miles West of Onehunga on the 
North-side of the harbour. Papakura Creek leads to the immediate 
vicinity of the coalfields at Drury, and Waiuku Creek is the route 
to the Waikato country. At neap-tide the shallow mud and sand- 
banks between the channels become dry; at flood-tide, however, 
the water rises from 10 to 13 feet. Ebb and flow, and the pre- 
vailing Westwinds, cause the water to be in continual motion; the 
Manukau is, therefore, noted for being a boisterous water. As the 
harbour is frequented only by the mail-steamers and small coast- 
ing-cruisers, it is quite dull in comparison with Auckland Harbour; 
on the other hand, during calm weather, numerous canoes of the 
natives are to be seen passing between the Maori settlements along 
its shores. 
1 Manukau from Manuka Lcplospermum scoparium , a shrub or a small tree, 
very frequent throughout the country. 
