passage up tiie narrow bush-creek, which is just wide enough for 
two canoes to pass each other, would have been one of the most 
agreeable, but for the millions of blood-thirsty mosquitoes, which 
almost drove us to despair. We were therefore glad, when, on 
our emerging from the swampy bush into the more open grass- 
land, that plague abated in some measure. But the channel be- 
came now so shallow, that the native had to get out, in order 
to lighten the canoe. A rope having then been made from phor- 
mium-leaves tied together, the canoe was tugged along by this 
means , until we reached the landing-place at Waiuku. 
January 27. — From Waiuku we set out to Mauku, ' and 
found hospitable quarters at Major Speedy’s, a late officer of the 
Bengal-army , who now has settled down as farmer in New Zealand. 
“By the banks of the Mauku we’ve fixed our abode, 
Where its serpentine current runs down to the sea, 
Through the bush and the fern we’ve opened a road, 
And made up our minds to live happy and free. 
The world’s cares and pleasures are easily seen 
To be fitful and vain as the foam of the sea; 
We care not for either, — our minds are serene — 
By the banks of the Mauku we’re happy and free.” 
Thus sing the merry settlers of Mauku, the happy neighbours 
of Waiuku. Let him who intends writing novels about the farmer 
life of the colonists of New Zealand, take up his quarters here; 
let him make himself at home in the farmhouses of the Mauku- 
district, so abundantly blessed with rosy daughters, and he will 
never want matter to suit his purpose. There live the Speedy’s, 
the Vickers, the Crispes , and whatever the names are of all the 
amiable families in that neighbourhood. Quite romantic is the 
situation of their snug and comfortable country-seats at the edge 
of the bush. Bush alternates with meadows, gardens and fields, 
waving their rich, luxuriant growth upon fertile basaltic ground. 
1 Mauku means “clear of uku’ 1 , where there is no white clay found. 
