STATION AT PURIRI. 205 
This was eminently the case with respect to the 
southern districts. The very event which we 
dreaded, as casting an effectual barrier in our 
way, tended to the furtherance of our desired 
object. The efforts which were made by the 
Mission generally, to prevent hostilities, and to 
establish peace between the contending parties^ 
showed the natives of the south, that, although 
we had hitherto been residing in the Bay of 
Islands, we had the present and eternal welfare 
of all parties equally at heart Many temporary 
visits were paid to Haurake, Tauranga, and Ro« 
torua ; and those Missionaries who went there 
were always respectfully and cordially received. 
At length, when the Ngapuhies had returned 
home without effecting their deadly purposes, the 
way was clear before us, and the path of duty 
plainly marked out. Another Deputation was 
appointed to explore the Thames, with authority to 
fix upon a spot for a settlement ; to engage the na- 
tives to build raupoy that is, rush- houses ; and also 
to inform them, that, if the consent of our friends 
at home could be obtained, some of us would go 
and reside amongst them. Many spots presented 
themselves in the extensive range of the Thames : 
at length the Puriri was fixed upon, as being the 
most eligible, though it did not possess all the 
requisites for a very large establishment. The 
Haurake natives consist of four grand tribes — 
theNga-ti-maru ; the Nga-ti-wanaunga ; theNga- 
ti-paua; and the Nga-ti-tamatera ; all living in 
