oneself to a cover more or less warm. In this shape , one large, 
woollen blanket yields the same amount of comfort, that at other 
times is obtained from two or three blankets; and, together with 
an air-cushion of caouchouc, composes an excellent travelling bed 
in a very compact form. A caouchouc cover, which at night was 
spread upon the bare ground as an underlayer for bed, and in 
daytime served as water-proof covering for my baggage , also 
rendered excellent services. 
Natives are decidedly the best travelling companions. I had 
engaged for the whole time of the expedition twelve stout , young 
Maoris, who were bound by contract to remain with us through 
the whole of the tour. As wages , each of them received , besides 
board and a pair of shoes , half a crown a-day. The baggage 
was distributed so that each man carried about thirty to forty 
pounds. Owing to the difficulties of the ground we had to pass 
over, a man could not easily carry more upon a longer journey. 
Each carried his proper bundle; and likewise in camp, each one 
had once for all his proper work assigned to him. One assisted 
in putting up tents, another fetched firewood, carried water, etc. 
Thus each of them knew after the very first few days of travel, 
without a special order, precisely what he had to do; and none 
could be idle at the expense of his fellow. With pleasure I bear 
testimony to these Maoris, that they always proved themselves wil- 
ling and of untiring energy, preserving under all circumstances their 
excellent good-humour; and that their faithful services contributed 
in a large measure to the final success of the expedition. Their 
names were Awaroa , Ngakapa, Dominiko , Poroa, Te Kura, Te 
Kahukoti, Mehana, Paurini, Te Tawera, Timoti, Te Kanihi, and 
Pateriki. During the journey our company was increased by three 
Maoris and one European servant, so that we usually numbered 
twenty-two heads ; which number , however , increased sometimes 
to twenty-five and thirty, whenever special guides and extra-carriers 
were necessary. 
The necessary guides and bearers having thus been properly 
engaged, and every thing being suitably provided for the expe- 
