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April 23. — Heavy storms and showers of rain had continued 
all night; but when in the morning the rain ceased and even the 
sun was peeping through the cloud-banks, we set out again. It 
was for the first time, since we had left Pukawa, that we again 
entered the bush. The rain, however, commenced anew, and, 
by marching onward with all possible speed and without the least 
delay, we strove to reach as soon as possible the Pali Orakeikorako 
on the Waikato , a distance of ten miles from Oruanui. We passed 
the Orakanui valley, climbed a wooded range of hills, and on 
arriving upon the open height of Tehapua, we had an interesting 
glance, through smaller side-valleys, at the Waikato valley far below, 
from which heavy clouds of steam were ascending, the harbingers 
of a new region of hot springs, the Puias of Orakeikorako. We 
reached the Pah about noon. It is situated upon an elevation on 
the left bank of the Waikato, about 200 feet above the river, and 
had been lately fortified anew on account of impending hostilities 
between the tribes of the Taupo and some others dwelling more 
North. The terraces on the descent facing the Waikato had been 
dug anew; but instead of the palisades of stanch beams, as in 
olden times, there was only a scanty miserable hedge-fence put 
up, which, although double and triple, could be almost over- 
thrown with the mere hand. A ridiculous fort, indeed, about which, 
however, the Maoris of the vicinity made much ado. In the middle 
of the Pah I had my tent pitched; but a heavy shower of rain 
inundating the whole ground , I was obliged to seek shelter in the 
hut of the chief Hori from the terrible tempest, which now burst 
forth in all its fury. It was the first violent storm with electric 
discharges since our departure from Auckland, and I was compelled 
to await in quiet resignation the coming morn, in order to visit 
the Puias at the foot of the Pah. llori informed me, that a fort- 
night ago three faint shocks of an earthquake were distinctly felt here. 
April 24. — The tempest had abated during the night. In the 
morning a dense fog lay upon the Waikato; but it soon vanished; 
the sun shone brightly into the valley, and now — what a sight! In 
swift course, forming rapids after rapids, the Waikato was plunging 
