ILLUSTRATIONS.

Map of the Southern Districts of New Zealand, to face title page.

Rauparaha and Rangihaeata, to face page

Tuhawaiki's coast-outlines, to face page

In the following order: -Taiari and Rakituma; Aparima, or Jacob's River (Foveaux's Straits); Awarua, or the Bluff Harbour (Foveaux's Straits); East Coast of Stewart's Island.

Genealogical Tables, to face page.

4

81

94

Bay of Waikouaiti, to face page

139

Map of Lakes in the interior of Middle Island, to face page.. 205

THE SOUTHERN DISTRICTS

OF

NEW ZEALAND.

CHAPTER I.

HAKAROA - ITS CLIMATE-STORY OF TAMAIHARANUI AND TE RAUPARAHA-CENSUS OF NATIVE INHABITANTS-FRENCH COMPANY'S CLAIM TO BANKS'S PENINSULA-OTAKOU-DESCRIPTION OF THE HARBOUR-ITS WHALE FISHERY - INGENUITY OF A SEA BIRD-DISEASE CALLED TUHAWAIKI.

ON the 10th of August, 1843, I landed at Hakaroa, the principal harbour in Banks's Peninsula. I was there to commence the double duty of Protector of Native Interests, and Interpretor to Colonel Godfrey, who was the Commissioner appointed to examine claims to land south of Cook's Straits, said to have been purchased from the Aborigines.

B

We were unable to procure a vacant house for a residence, and were proceeding to erect a tent, which we had brought with us for such an emergency, when Commodore Bérard, the officer who commanded a vessel of war stationed there by the the French Government to protect their infant colony, and whaling vessels, which resorted to the harbour in great numbers to refit, insisted on having our baggage removed to a very comfortable cottage, where he sometimes resided, while engaged in astronomical and other observations.

This attention to our comfort must have put the Commodore to great inconvenience, and we felt the more grateful afterwards, when seated by our fire on a rainy and stormy evening; for it was still the season of winter, and the snow was visible on the more lofty hills, although it never descended to our level.

I had brought with me two natives from the Bay of Plenty, where the climate is more steadily fine than in any other part of New Zealand. They were here obliged to sleep in a small tent, in which they seemed to enjoy themselves very tolerably, only sometimes making complaints of the cold. Our own feelings convinced us that

the climate of Hakaroa was more mild and genial than that of Wellington, which we had just left. And the reason why it should be so, notwithstanding the difference of latitude, was to be seen on viewing its sheltered position, protected on all sides from the winds by lofty hills.

Mons. B, the agent of the French Company, had planted several different sorts of vines, which had been brought direct from France, and he gave it as his opinion, that both soil and climate were suited to their cultivation, and looked forward to the day when wine might become an article of export.

We had heard beforehand that it would be difficult to procure provisions at this place, and had purchased a stock of preserved meats, which could then be obtained at a moderate price at Auckland or Wellington. And we had cause to be glad that we had done so; for we found all articles of food scarce, even potatos, the European and native population not being large enough to cultivate sufficient for themselves, and the crews of the numerous whaling vessels which put into the harbour.

Hakaroa had once been a favourite residence