228 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, however lies between this anchorage and Matavai, and is called Papawa ; 
several ships may anchor there in perfect safety quite close to the 
April shore, and if a wharf were constructed, might land their cargoes upon 
1S26. j|. without the assistance of boats. It may be entered either from the 
east or west, and it has the additional advantage of having Matavai 
Bay for a stopping place, should circumstances render it inconvenient to 
enter at the moment ; but this channel which communicates with Mata- 
vai Bay must be approached with attention to two coral knolls that 
have escaped the notice of both Cook and Bligh. I have given direc- 
tions for avoiding them in my nautical remarks. 
'I’he tides in all harbours formed by coral reefs are very irregular 
and uncertain, and are almost wholly dependant upon the sea breeze. 
At Toanoa it is usually low water about six every morning, and high 
water half an hour after noon. To make this deviation from the ordi- 
nary course of nature intelligible, it will be better to consider the 
harbour as a basin, over the margin of which, after the breeze springs 
up, the sea beats with considerable violence, and throws a larger supply 
into it than the narrow channels can carry off in the same time, and 
consequently during that period the tide rises. As the wind abates the 
water subsides, and the nights being generally calm, the water finds its 
lowest level by the morning. 
