320 
ing on forest-trees, and which was in full bloom. The highest point 
of the pass is according to my measurement 853 feet above the 
sea. The range consists of the same kind of slate, as the Taupiri 
peak. On the opposite declivity, upon an open place called Te 
kapa ama lianga, a beautiful prospect is opened over the environs 
of Whaingaroa Harbour. At sunset we reached the foot of the moun- 
tains , and crossed the Waitetuna River (eel-river). This is the prin- 
cipal river flowing from the coast-range to the harbour. A second, 
smaller river , emptying farther North into the inlet of the harbour, 
is, like the latter, called Whaingaroa. 1 The banks of the Waitetuna 
are formed by clay-marls of the same description as the strata at the 
mouth of the Waikato containing Belemnites. We had hoped to 
be quite near to our place of destination; but we had a long dis- 
tance to go yet in the dark, besides a difficult passage across a 
deep creek; and it was not until 9 o’clock at night, that we ar- 
rived at the house of Captain Johnston. The captain himself was 
absent from home, but had made ample provisions for a hospitable 
welcome in case of our arrival. The comfortable quarters were 
the more acceptable to me, as from violent pains in the knee, which 
rendered me utterly unable to walk, I was obliged to keep my 
bed for two days, and not until March 22 had I so far recovered 
the use of my limb, that I was able to mount a horse, and thus 
proceed to Raglan, the future port-town close by the entrance 
to the harbour. 
Whaingaroa Harbour is a narrow inlet of the sea with num- 
erous branches, six to seven miles long, the eastern half of which is 
divided into two parts by a far-jutting peninsula. The Whaingaroa 
river empties into the northern branch; the Waitetuna into the 
southern. The harbour is passable only for small crafts of 60 to 
80 tons, which generally anchor close to the entrance. By means 
of boats , however , communication is practicable far up into the 
i Whaingaroa signifies long-pursued. The name has reference either to a war- 
party, which pursued the enemy through the branches of the sea extending far into 
the land; or simply to the long branches of the sea, which can be traced far into 
the interior. 
