d^ ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. XIV. 
chosen by the Surveyor-General nearly in a block in 
the immediate neighbourhood of Pitone ; — the 500 
acres including the />« itself, the valley of the Korokoro 
or " Throat" stream, a frontage of three-quarters of a 
mile on the beach of the harbour, and some of the 
most valuable land between the western hills and the 
Hutt river. 
Mr. Molesworth, who had long had an eye to a 
beautiful tract of land about two miles up the east 
bank of the river, secured two sections with some early 
choices ; and proceeded immediately to clear a few 
acres for cultivation. Several other persons followed 
his example ; and the sound of the axe rang merrily 
through the lower part of the valley. 
Mr. John Came Bidwill, a gentleman engaged in 
mercantile pursuits in New South Wales, but who 
added a great knowledge of natural history and shrewd 
powers of observation to that enterprising spirit and 
love of adventure which combine to make a good colo- 
nist, was at this time visiting our settlements, and I 
was fortunate enough to be introduced to his acquaint- 
ance. Mr. Bidwill had on a former occasion visited 
the Bay of Islands, the Frith and valley of the Thames, 
and the districts of Taupo and TVaikato. During that 
journey, he had ascended the volcano of Tonga Riroy 
and his narratives of this and other adventures were 
most interesting. As they have since been published 
under his own name, I will only refer my reader to 
the work as one which will well repay the trouble of 
perusal.* When we heard that the Governor had the 
intention of founding a new city, to be the metropolis 
of the country, somewhere in the Gulf of Haurake or 
Frith of the Thames, Mr. Bidwill strongly expressed 
* ' Rambles in New Zealand,' by J. C. Bidwill, Esq. London : 
Orr and Co., 1841. 
