206 CHARACTER OF PURIRI. 
fortifications on the banks of the river, either in 
the frith, or in the narrows. The Puriri is the 
most central spot, and is the only flat ground 
large enough to allow of cultivation sufficient for 
the support of the natives living at the Station. 
On account of the mud-banks, it can only be 
approached at nearly high-water mark : a little 
creek from the main river bounds it on two of its 
sides ; the Thames itself on a third ; and the other 
boundary is formed by the hills which run along 
the back of tlie settlement. The land appears 
excellent ; the situation is, however, low, and may 
prove damp and unhealthy in the winter. There 
is a little spot of rising ground, upon which it 
is intended to build the permanent houses of 
the Missionaries ; and thus, possibly, the evil of 
dampness may be obviated. The banks of the 
Tliames are remarkably fertile ; thousands of 
acres of the finest flax flourish there undisturbed ; 
it only wants the use of machinery in dressing it, 
to render this article exceedingly valuable. The 
native process is so tedious, that many hands are 
required to perform but little work ; and their own 
wants being nearly supplied, they are careless as 
to the manner in which they turn their flax out 
of hand ; and so diminish its value, not only to 
themselves, but to the purchasers. The Puriri is 
everywhere surrounded with flax-swamps ; and 
the banks of the fresh-water stream present but 
little else. Up the river, about ten miles, is a 
large native fortification on a little island in the 
