STATION OF KAITAIA. 203 
through the valley, enters Kahikatea wood, passes 
thi’ough the centre of it, and joins the tide at its 
extremity. The sand-hills, on the western or 
weather coast, bound the view on the right of the 
settlement ; in front are a few barren hills, much 
broken ; and in the ravines grow some fine trees, 
of various shades of foliage. On the left, the 
valley winds up for some distance, and is termi- 
nated by beautiful rising grounds, which lead to 
the foot of hills that ascend one above the other, 
in the extreme distance, till lost in the clouds, 
with which they are almost always capped. At 
the back of the settlement, the view is sublime : 
the river pursues its way over the stones, mur- 
muring as if impatient of the barrier they pre- 
sent to its more rapid progress ; and its banks 
are covered with the richest verdure. An ex- 
tensive mountain -view, covered to its summit 
with the finest forest wood, and broken, at its 
base, with what at a distance appears to be ver- 
dant fields, but which, in reality, is only fern of 
the strongest growth, is the boundary of this 
lovely scene. 
In connexion with the settlement of Kaitaia, 
there are great numbers of natives who may re- 
gularly be visited, as soon as horse-roads are cut 
to their residences; which work many of them 
have already commenced. They appear anxious 
to enjoy frequent intercourse with the Missio- 
naries for instruction ; they have observed the 
Sabbath among themselves, and expressed their 
