694
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Bill has been laid before Her Majesty in Council, and
that Her Majesty has been pleased to assent to the
same.

Given under the hand of His Excellency Sir
George Ferguson Bowen, Knight Grand
Cross of the Most Distinguished Order
of Saint Michael and Saint George,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief in
and over Her Majesty's Colony of New
Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-
Admiral of the same, at the Government
House, at Wellington; and issued under
the Seal of the said Colony, this third
day of September, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and
seventy-two.
W. GISBORNE.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 31st August, 1872.

THE following Ordinance, passed by the Provincial
Council and assented to by the Superintendent
of the Province of Taranaki, intituled
"The Appropriation Ordinance, 1872,"
having been laid before the Governor, His Excellency
has not been advised to exercise his power of dis-
allowance with respect to that Ordinance.
W. GISBORNE.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 27th August, 1872.

THE following Report on the chief features of the
vegetation and agricultural capabilities of the
district between Maketu and Lake Taupo, obtained
by the Geological Department, is published for
general information.
W. GISBORNE.

Report on the Chief Features of the Vegetation of the
District between Maketu and Lake Taupo. By
THOMAS KIRK, F.L.S., 3rd August, 1872.

THE vegetation of the country between the mouth
of the Kaituna River and Ohinemutu is for the most
part extremely scanty, and, with the exception of the
patches of forest on the slopes of the hills, is far from
luxuriant. For the first five or six miles from Maketu
the district is of recent formation, and extremely sterile;
the plants present but little variety, tea-tree, tauhinu
(Pomaderris phylicifolia, Ladd.), Pimelea prostrata,
Vahl., and dwarf fern, are the most prominent forms;
in many places Zoysia pungens, Willd., a littoral grass,
is extremely abundant, and occasionally mixed with
other kinds of good quality, as Microlæna stipoides,
Br., and Danthonia semiannularis, Br., of indigenous
origin; the naturalized Doab grass, sweet vernal
grass, yellow suckling, and white and red clovers, the
last but sparingly. The Doab grass forms extensive
patches, and furnishes a large supply of herbage in
the driest seasons, so that its spread will prove
beneficial. The Zoysia is undoubtedly a grass of
considerable value in localities of this kind, as,
although its herbage is short, it is highly nutritious,
and eagerly devoured by horses and cattle. It is,
moreover, of rapid growth, and forms a compact
sward, thus preparing soil for the growth of superior
kinds.

On ascending the low hills the Zoysia is left
behind; the land is generally of better quality, as
evidenced by the luxuriant fern and thickets of
tutupahi (Coriaria ruscifolia, L.). Grass is however
scarce, and, as a general rule, the aridity of the soil
prevents the development and spread of new vege-
tation. In the gullies and ravines the conditions of
vegetable life are more favourable.

On the new road, made about four years ago, the
first plants to establish themselves are usually
Rumex Acetosella (sheep's sorrel), Haloragis alata,
Jacq., Agrostis cemula, Br., and Danthonia semi-
annularis; but they rarely flourish until their roots
have penetrated a considerable depth into the pumi-
ceous sand. Close to the bare track the undisturbed
fern was growing in the greatest luxuriance, but its
roots had penetrated to a depth of from five to fifteen
feet.

A marked instance of the beneficial results of
cultivation is to be seen at the telegraph station, Te
Ngae, where the false acacia, elder, hawthorn, poplar,
walnut, elm, apple, and other planted trees have
attained large dimensions, and are in a remarkably
thriving condition. Introduced grasses flourish, and
the sweetbriar has become naturalized to such an
extent that the old road has become almost impass-
able; yet much of the indigenous vegetation in the
immediate vicinity is extremely depauperated.

There can be no doubt that in a few years most of
the small valleys in the centre of the Island will be
occupied by the sweetbriar. Already it occurs
throughout the district, although not so abundantly
as at Te Ngae. Horses are said to fatten upon its
fruit in the winter season, and are the chief agents
in its distribution, as the hairy covering of the seeds
prevents the loss of vitality when swallowed. The
growth of grasses and other surface-rooting plants
is encouraged by the friendly shelter it affords from
the parching effects of the summer sun on a pumi-
ceous sandy soil.

In the vicinity of Ohinemutu the vegetation presents
a very impoverished appearance, except in the neigh-
bourhood of swamps and on the slopes of the hills.
The higher parts of Ngongotaha (2,300 feet) are
covered with luxuriant forest, in which Alseuosmia
macrophylla, Cunn., grows as luxuriantly as in the
extreme North. On the margin of the forest are
traces of extensive clearings, indicating the sites of
exhausted Native cultivations. In this locality a
fresh clearing appears to be made yearly, but the
extent is very limited.

To the north of Rotorua much of the land is of
superior quality, and the forest district between the
lake and Tauranga must be considered amongst the
best land in the Colony; its vegetation exhibits a
larger number of species than is to be seen in the
southern part of the district.

Tobacco is grown to some extent by the Natives at
Ohinemutu. The numerous small cultivations, often
on the margin of boiling springs, presented a singular
appearance, each separate patch being carefully
fenced. Several patches did not contain more than
ten plants, but the usual number was from twenty to
sixty; one large patch contained over four hundred.
Great care was usually bestowed upon its cultivation;
the greatest neatness was observed, and the leading
shoot pinched out on the development of the fourth
or fifth leaf. The chief fault lay in overcrowding the
plants, which evidently reduced the general yield.
The plant grows with the greatest luxuriance; and as
there is a considerable extent of land peculiarly
adapted for its cultivation, might easily be made a
source of profit. No marked difference was exhibited
between the plants growing amongst boiling springs
and those in ordinary situations; but the general
temperature of the soil of the whole of this remark-
able district must be modified by the boiling springs
below the surface.

On approaching Rotokakahi, by way of Whaka-
rewarewa, the quality of the soil again shows an
improvement, but is least fertile on the tops of the
hills. About Kaitiriria, patches of Triticum multiflorum,
Banks and Sol., Danthonia, and one or two introduced
grasses and clovers, furnish a considerable quantity of