NATIONAL FLAG. 
29 
excellent shelter from every gale that blows. The 
advantages which this place holds out for pro- 
curing timber has induced many, at imminent 
hazard, to run their Vessels in. A few miles up 
the river is an establishment, first set on foot by 
Messrs. Raine and Browne, and subsequently car- 
ried on by another firm. Here have been built 
two most excellent vessels; the one a schooner 
of 120 tons’ burden, the other a ship of upwards 
of 300 tons ; both of them beautiful as models, 
and strongly built. These vessels were however 
liable, at any time, to seizure ; as they were not 
allowed to carry the British ensign, nor could 
have a British register ; and there was then no 
acknowledged flag of the nation. A flag has, 
however, been presented by the British Govern- 
ment (see Plate I. Fig. 5.), and accepted by the 
natives ; so that now any vessel bearing a register 
from a Native Chief, countersigned by the British 
Resident at New Zealand, and hoisting the Na- 
tional Standard, will be allowed to trade to all 
His Majesty’s ports; and will be everywhere 
acknowledged and protected by the flag of 
England. 
There are many settlers residing on the banks 
of the Hokianga, and much land has been pur- 
chased by them from the Chiefs of that district. 
The whole of this part of the country is valuable, 
on account of the water-carriage, and the facilities 
thereby afforded for floating logs and spars along- 
side vessels at anchor in the main stream. Much 
