AND WATERFALLS. 
11 
is, in itself, a poor and insignificant stream, only 
worthy of notice on account of the mountains and 
hills which bound the beautiful valley through 
which it runs. In the winter, it covers an immense 
bed ; which, in the summer, is perfectly dry, and 
is composed of small round pebbles or gravel, and 
sand, of the nature and quality of the finest sand 
on the sea-shore. Floods are very common in 
this river ; as it is supplied by many mountain- 
torrents ; which soon discharge themselves, and, 
like the tide, suddenly deluge the country, and as 
suddenly retire. The Hokianga is a valuable 
river, as far as it is under the influence of the 
tide ; but, higher up, all its tributary streams are 
of the same character as the Kerikeri, and others, 
which empty themselves into the Bay of Islands. 
We must now notice some of the more re- 
markable or beautiful waterfalls, which abound in 
this hilly and undulating land. First, for grandeur 
and beauty, so far as I have hitherto seen, is the 
Waianiwaniwa, or “ waters of the rainbow,’' as it 
is poetically denominated by the natives. It is a 
fine fall of the waters of the Kerikeri, about two 
miles from the Mission Station, on the banks of 
that river. Those who have visited it have never 
failed to be both astonished and delighted, not 
merely with its grandeur, but with its beauty and 
loveliness. The water rolls over a rock, whose 
perpendicular height is about ninety feet ; and is 
received in a circular pool or basin, the margin 
of which is formed of loose stones, covered with 
