Whanganui River.

On passing down the River Whanganui I was struck with the denseness of the population on the northern banks, the inaccessible situations of many of their pas, only to be approached by ladders up the steep sides of precipices, which places, as fenced by Nature, have been their safeguard when attacked by the irresistible force of the Waikato Tribe, who failed in their attempts to subdue the inhabitants of those rugged wilds, when other parts of the Island were obliged to submit. This part of the river has been rarely visited by Europeans, which caused them to think the more of my coming to see them at a time when the Island was under such excitement. They manifested great anxiety to learn the intentions of the Waikato and Taupo tribes towards them, from whom they were in daily fear of an attack, more especially those towards the coast, who, their situation being more protected from the features of that part of the country, had greater reason to dread a hostile invasion. They were pleased to hear that Te Heuheu had preferred my interference to a visit from himself and all to the Mission-station at the entrance of the river, promised to refrain for the future from provoking the anger of the tribes in the interior, and through me wrote a friendly letter to Te Heuheu by the return of the canoe that carried me down the river.