Terrific gales occasionally rage here. We saw the devastating traces of one such, in myriads of half-prostrate young pine-trees. The sides which had been exposed to the gale were withered and shrivelled as if smitten by fire. Pines have been very extensively planted all round Auckland. They form quite a feature in the scenery, and seem to thrive luxuriantly in the volcanic soil. So, alas, do briars and the Scotch whins or furze, which some enthusiastic idiot has at some former time introduced from a mistaken sentiment of patriotism.
The furze, with its aggressive spikes and golden blossom, is becoming ubiquitous all over New Zealand, and promises to become as great a nuisance, in its way, as the briars of the west, or the prickly pear of the north, are in New South Wales.
