the western boundary of the plain from
Whakatane), and cut off from the foot of
Mount Edgecumbe by the valley through
which the Awa-o-te-atua runs. Coastwise
the cliffs are white, rising to 500 feet.

The Wai-teha-nui W.N.W., six miles
distant from Matata, is fordable at low
water. On it is the beautifully situated Pa
of Otamaropa.

Before reaching Maketu, the Waihi river
runs in many branches through an extensive flat.

Town Point (Okure) forming the S.E.
head of the Kaituna river is sixteen miles
N.W. by W., half W. of Matata. From
this cliff point (100 feet high) towards Motiti,
the ground is very foul, but I am not
aware that there are any rocks—further
than a mile off—which would bring a ship
up.

The large Pa of Maketu is on the S.E.
side of the Kaituna river, just within the
bar, which at low water has three feet on
it. Within, the river expands considerably,
and is navigable for boats eight miles. It
conveys the surplus water from Roto Roa
lakes to the sea. At Maketu resides the
Rev. Mr. Chapman, a gentleman whose
name is so well known to travellers, from
the unbounded hospitality he has extended
to those visitors who pass his happily conducted mission station on their road to the
lakes.

The beach from Maketu to Maunganui
has already been described, as was also
Tauranga harbour.

The Katikati river is N.W. by W. thirteen miles from Maunganui, a sandy beach
the whole way. Two miles east of its north
head (Te Ho), the water shoals suddenly
from six to three and a half fathoms. Breakers extend a mile from the entrance, which
appears to be choked up with banks, having
scarcely at low water a safe boat channel
between them. The Katikati is connected
with Tauranga, thus forming a long sandy
island between Te Ho and Maunganui. At
low water the channel connecting Tauranga
and Katikati is nearly dry.

The passage between Karewha Island
and the sandy beach is three miles broad,
having from ten to thirteen fathoms sand
and shells.

ISLANDS AND DETACHED ROCKS.

The islands comprehended in this survey
include the Mayor or Tuhoua, Karewha,
Motiti, Motu Nau or Plate Island, Motu
Huru or Whale Island, and Whakari or
White Island.

The detached rocks are the Ru Rima near
Motu Hora, the Astralobe near Motiti, and
the Schooner Rocks.

The Mayor or Tuhoua is an island seven
miles in circumference, two and a quarter
miles N.W. and S.E. and one and a half
miles in breadth, the northern peak being
1100 feet high. The centre of the island
is an extinct crater open to the S.E. with
stagnant water at the bottom; the western
face is so covered with blocks of obsidian as
to give it a remarkably dazzling appearance
when reflecting the sun’s rays.

There is a Pa on the S.E. extreme,
strongly defended by a deep cut or pass,
partially artificial, through which the invaders must approach, for the other sides have
steep cliffs down to the water. There is a
bay immediately west of the Pa, where anchorage may be had—sandy bottom; but
as it is open to west and S.W. winds, it
would seldom be available beyond a few
hours, during which time a small quantity
of provisions and water might be obtained.
On the east side of the Pa is a small cove,
where coasters ride in northerly winds. One
mile east of the Pa Point is a rock under
water, which breaks in a moderate swell; it
is half a mile from the nearest or S.E. point
of the island. Off the North point is a small
sugar loaf islet. The rest of the island
appears perfectly clear of danger, with forty
fathoms one mile from its shores.

Karewha Island has been treated of in
the directions for entering Tauranga Harbour.

Motiti or Flat Island is three and a quarter
miles from north to south, and one and a
half from west to east. Its greatest elevation
(190 feet) is at the north end. The rest
of the island is not more than 100 feet above
the level of the sea.

The north point is S.E. by S. nineteen
miles from the Mayor, and eleven and a half
miles E.N.E. from Tauranga harbour, between which and Motiti there is not more
than twenty-two fathoms.

The holding ground off the island is very
indifferent, and the east and S.E. sides
should not be approached within two miles.
There are two rocks awash S.E. by E. one
and a half miles from the south point.

The “Pandora” anchored off the N.W.
point of the Island, half a mile from the
shore, in fourteen fathoms, rocky ground.

Schooner rocks (so called from their likeness to such a vessel at a distance) are four
and a half miles E. by N. half N. of Motiti;
they are not a cable in circumference, and
sixty-two feet high and bold. There is forty
fathoms between them and Motiti.

Astrolabe Rock is isolated, and uncovered
at low water springs. The whole extent
of the danger is not more than two cables,
extending E.N.E. and W.S.W. It would
break almost always, but as it is covered at
high water, in very fine westerly weather it
might not show. Our boats approached it,
and found twenty fathoms all round it fifty
yards distant. The ship passed two cables
from it, sounding in thirty to forty fathoms,
green mud and broken shells.

At the rock, the flat summit of Mau-