Chap. II. EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT— MOUNTAINS. 31 
of them; and the obnoxious "Dogskin" disappeared. 
The new-comers confirmed our idea that the demand 
of utu was a mere extortion, and were much amused 
at the relation of our alarm and warlike demonstration. 
They told us that the natives were always ready to 
take advantage of inexperienced visitors in this way. 
We could do nothing here towards attaining our 
object, which was to select and purchase a location 
suitable for the emigrants whom we expected to fol- 
low us in January. Neither Ngarewa nor Te fVetu 
could give us any distinct information as to the owner- 
ship of the land in this neighbourhood. They both 
spoke of Rauperaha as the great chieftain to whom 
they were in a measure tributary ; but they seemed to 
agree that Hiko, the son of Te Pehi, had the best right 
to the land here. Neither, however, was described as hav- 
ing an absolute right to dispose of land ; and the vested 
rights appeared to us to be involved in much confusion. 
Our White friends could not clear up our doubts ; and, 
moreover, it was plain that although the immediate 
vicinity of Ship Cove could boast of excellent harbours 
and sublime scenery, it was not at all suited for a large 
European colony. My uncle therefore determined to 
avail himself of the services of Williams and Arthur 
in piloting the vessel to Te-awa-iti, where we might 
acquire more information. 
While we remained at anchor in Ship Cove, Dr. 
Dieffenbach had ascended two of the hills which 
bound the bay. On the first expedition he was ac- 
companied by the artist and Ehoro. They emerged 
from the forest into a coppice of fern, ten feet high, 
which clothed the upper part of the hill. After a te- 
dious scramble through this, they reached the summit, 
and were rewarded by a panoramic view of the nu- 
merous bays and coves of Queen Charlotte's Sound, 
