to the one on which we stood came in the way in this direction and prevented our seeing the Ninety-mile Beach, as the coast south of the Peninsula is named, and the large fresh water lake termed the Waihola, which is only separated from the sea by a narrow bank of shingle. After lingering some time on the summit enjoying the prospect, which to an eye accustomed to wander over the endless ridges and broken surface of the greater part of New Zealand, was certainly most refreshing, we descended towards the plain. The slopes on this side are gentle and beautifully grassed, and afford, besides, an abundance of anise. The surface is composed of a dry, crumbling basalt, so that both the feed and the nature of the ground are admirably adapted for the depasturing of sheep. From the foot of the hills it is about five miles to Mr. Deans’ station. Close to the base of them is a canal-looking stream which winds very much. This is what Messrs. Duppa and Danniell named the ‘Serpentine,’ the native name is ‘Opawaha.’ For a distance of about two and a half miles back from the sea it may be navigable for good large boats, but beyond that it is shallow. Where we crossed it, it was about knee deep and rapidly diminishing in size. Having the same outlet to the sea is another similar, but smaller stream, named the Otakaro, upon the banks of which Mr. Deans has located himself. Both these streams are said to have their source in springs, and are unaffected beyond a few inches either by the drought of summer or the heaviest rains of winter. In dimensions and navigable capabilities they have been certainly much over-rated, both by the gentlemen above mentioned, and by Captain Smith, who has since then given a description of Port Cooper. The part of the plain which we crossed in walking to Mr, Deans’ is uniformly covered with grass of various sorts, with hardly any fern, flax or toi-toi in the moister parts, and dotted over with ti-tree. Though apparently a dead level as seen from the top of the hills,
