1918.] The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
85 
the waters of the harbour must have laved the base of Thorndon bluff from 
Pa-kuao to Nga Pakoko, but after that event space for hamlets would be 
found at the base of the bluff. The same upheaval must have lifted a 
certain area of Te Aro Plat above water, but no shell-middens of any extent, 
ancient or modern, were seen in that vicinity by our pioneer settlers. 
Judging from the remains found in local middens, it is fairly evident 
that the native population of this district relied principally on fish as a 
food-supply, and that shell-fish occupied a secondary place. This would 
account for the favoured places of residence being on or adjacent to the 
outer coast-line, for natives tell us that the best fishing-grounds were out¬ 
side the harbour-limits. Thus, as was usual, all the famed toka Jia'puku 
(cod-rocks) outside the Heads had special names assigned to them. Some 
good cockle-banks (tahuna pipi) existed within the harbour, but most of 
the outer coast-line consists of rocky shores that provided only univalve 
shell-fish in any quantity. No local beach provided the great quantities 
of food that were furnished by the cockle-banks accessible to natives 
dwelling on the coast-line at such places as Waikanae, the Bay of Plenty, 
Manakau, and many others. 
