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there lay spread out before us the flourishing lands of the Middle 
Waikato Basin. We had arrived at the first principal station of our 
journey, distant from Auckland about 80 miles, and pitched our 
tents close by the river-bank. The Eev. Mr. Ashwell happened to be 
absent from home; but Mrs. Ashwell very kindly offered us hospi- 
table quarters in her house, — which offer we accepted most 
gratefully, passing some days there most agreeably. 
