OR, EXPLORATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND. A NARRATIVE OF 600 MILES OF TRAVEL THROUGH MAORILAND. BY J.H. KERRY-NICHOLLS. author THE AUTHOR. WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND A MAP. SECOND EDITION. london SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, & RIVINGTON, CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET. 1884 [ All rights reserved. ] THIS WORK IS DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO SIR GEORGE GREY, K.C.B., F.R.S., WHOSE CAREER AS GOVERNOR, STATESMAN, ORATOR, AUTHOR, AND EXPLORER, HAS SHED LUSTRE UPON THE HISTORY OF AUSTRALASIA....

In publishing this record of travel, I have deemed it advisable to arrange my narrative under four principal divisions. In the introductory portion I refer to the leading physical features of that part of the North Island of New Zealand known as the King Country, relate the leading incidents connected with its history, describe the condition of the native race, and explain the object with which my journey was undertaken. The succeeding chapters deal with my visit to the Maori King when presentin

ASCENT OF PIRONGIA. Mount Pirongia—Geological features—The ascent—A fair prospect. HATI WIRA TAKAHI HATI WIRA TAKAHI. ( Chief of the Ngapuhi Tribe. ) The steep, rugged heights of Mount Pirongia are at all times an attractive feature in the splendid landscape which stretches along the course of the Waikato River and thence through the valley of the Waipa to the very borders of the King Country. Rising to a height of 3146 feet above the level of the sea, the conical peaks of this grand mountain st

THE START. Reason of the journey—How I succeeded—My interpreter—Our horses—The Hursthouse difficulty—Departure from Wairakei—Tapuwaeharuru—The natives—Release of Hursthouse, and capture of Te Mahuki—The council of war. In undertaking my journey of exploration through the King Country, I was prompted by no other desire than to advance the general interests of New Zealand, by making known more fully that portion of it which was virtually a blank on the maps, and thus to add, as far as lay in my po

ASCENT OF RUAPEHU. ( First Day. ) Approaching the mountain—A field for research—Physical and geological features—Plan of attack—Curious icicles—A lava barrier—Natives in the distance—Horse camp—Scoria hills and lava ridges—The start for the snow-line—Up the great spur—Head of the spur—Our camp—A wind-storm—Ruapehu by night—A picture of the past—Waiting for sunrise—Sunrise. When we were clear of the rugged gorges of Tongariro, we rode leisurely across the beautiful open plain which separates the

RUAPEHU. ( Second Day. ) ASCENT OF THE GREAT PEAK. The start—A lava bluff—Last signs of vegetation—Wall of conglomerate rock—The Giant Rocks—Ancient crater—Difficult climbing—A frightful precipice—The ice crown—Cutting our way over the ice—The summit—Peaks and crater—A grand coup d'œil —The surrounding country—Taking landmarks—Point Victoria. As soon as we had made a hearty but very light breakfast, we started at once to make the ascent of the great peak, whose steep, snow-clad sides rose up at

THE KAIMANAWA MOUNTAINS. Further plans—Across the plains—In memoriam—The Onetapu Desert—Mamanui camp—Grilled weka —A heavy frost—The Kaimanawas—Geological formation—A probable El Dorado—Reputed existence of gold. As we had now successfully accomplished the ascent of the two great mountains, I determined to leave the tapued district as soon as possible, and strike a south-easterly course across the Onetapu Desert to the southern base of the Kaimanawa Mountains, in order to examine the geological

FOREST COUNTRY. The start from Karioi—On the track—Te Wheu maps the country—The primeval solitude—Terangakaika Forest—The flora—Difficulties of travel—The lakes—Birds—Pakihi—Mangawhero River—Gigantic vines—Fallen trees—Dead forest giants—Mangatotara and Mangatuku Rivers—A "Slough of Despond"—Dismal Swamp. We were invited to stay as long as we liked at Karioi, but as we were anxious, as the weather was breaking, to push forward as soon as possible, we had to content ourselves with two days' rest,

HOT SPRINGS OF TONGARIRO. Departure from Ngatokorua—Okahakura Plains—Tongariro from the north—Source of the Whanganui—The hot springs—A marvellous sanatorium—Crater of Ketetahi—Te Perore—A strategic position—Kuwharua—Maori cakes—A grand region—Site for a public park. We left Ngatokorua with a pressing invitation to return again, and took an easterly course across the Waimarino Plains, in the direction of Tongariro, with the view of tracing up the source of the Whanganui River, which, we had lear

Wiremu Te Wheoro Te Morehu Maipapa comes from a distinguished line of ancestors. From a woman of celebrity, named Hourua, after whom the tribe was called, and whose worthy chief was that famous man Wiremu Te Awatora, of Raglan. Then from the renowned ancestor Tapoue, Te Wheoro becomes a near relative of Tawhiao, the present Maori King, which circumstance accounts for the fact of his taking possession of the Tiwai canoe, which conveyed the late Maori King, Potatau Te Wherowhero, from Manukau to N

These tribes, which constitute the principal divisions of the Maori race, are all subdivided into hapus , or tribal families, bearing often a different appellation to that of the parent tribe, to which, however, each hapu claims a direct relationship. Synopsis of the principal flora met with during the journey, arranged alphabetically in accordance with native names. Trees. Hinau.— Eloecarpus dentatus. A graceful tree, 20 to 30 feet high; blossoms with a white flower; produces an edible berry ½