192 BEAUTIFUL SITUATION 
the purposes of agriculture: and, with a good 
agriculturist to superintend that branch of the 
work, expectations were raised, which, as far as 
can be inferred from four years’ experience, have 
every prospect of being realised. The settlement 
is beautifully situated on a plain, surrounded 
by hills : the front view, looking towards the 
north, is a long range of hills, covered with the 
most magnificent kauri-trees, and affording a 
superabundant supply of the best timber, within 
the reasonable distance of two miles from the 
spot where it is wanted for use. At the foot of 
these hilis roll the limpid waters of the Waitangi, 
irrigating the fertile valley through which they 
flow : to the right of the Station is the noble hill 
called “ Puke-nui”, or the Great Hill; the whole 
of which, as well as the surrounding country, 
seems to be of volcanic origin. From the top of 
this eminence, one of the most splendid views 
which can be conceived, presents itself: in the 
extreme distance is the ocean, with its weltering 
waves ; at its foot is the lake of Mawe, with scarcely 
a ripple on its surface. Here, the eye stretches 
down a deep valley, through which numberless 
little streams are playfully passing on to their great 
receptacle : there, a range of mountains is seen, 
topping one over the other, till the heavens them- 
selves appear to intercept the view. In one place 
may be seen a few verdant spots, which show that 
the hand of man has been at work; and then 
the eye becomes almost weary with stretching 
