STATION CF KERIKERI — 
172 
Kerikeri, next in succession to Tepuna or Ran- 
gihoua, was first established on the arrival of 
Messrs. Butler and Kemp from England. On the 
hill immediately joining the settlement, was a 
large native village, occupied by the tribe Ngai- 
te-waki, with the warrior Hongi at their head. 
It is a beautiful and picturesque spot, situated at 
the confluence of the tide and of the fresh- water 
stream from wliich it takes its name. The vale is 
an amphitheatre of small extent ; but well situa- 
ted, sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds 
by the hills at the back, and from the east and 
north-east gales by those in front. The waters of 
the Kerikeri fall over a rock, about nine feet high 
at ebb tide, into a beautiful and extensive basin, 
and then pass on with the tide to the Bay of Islands. 
The river is navigable, to within four miles of the 
settlement, for vessels of a hundred and fifty tons, 
and for small craft up to the wharf on the Station. 
This will always be an important place, from its 
local situation ; being the only eligible spot for 
conveying the riches of the land from the interior 
to the harbours. Roads to any other place on the 
banks of the river, from any of the cultivable 
districts, are almost impracticable ; and on this 
account the situation will be always commanding 
and valuable. There are several good buildings, 
belonging to the Society, erected at Kerikeri : a 
capacious public store, built of whinstone, graces 
the front of the settlement, and stands close upon 
the banks of the river. A wharf runs from the 
