71

EXPLANATION OF THE MAPS 67
ments of a brave people which were annihilated in the bloody, cannibal wars of Hongi, the "Napoleon of New Zealand," in the years 1820 to 1830, and whose deads live only in song and tradition.

MAP IV.
ROTO-MAHANA (OR THE WARM LAKE) AND ITS HOT SPRINGS.

The Lake District, so called on account of its numerous lakes, is situated about two days' journey from the Bay of Plenty. It is almost exclusively inhabited by the natives, who have selected the beautiful and fertile banks of Rotorua and Tarawera as their settlements. The Mission Station at Temu (the Rev. Mr. Spencer's residence) is at present the only Euproean habitation, and is the resort of many travellers and naturalists, who visit the neighbourhood during the summer months. The prinicpal point of attraction of this region is Roto-mahana, or the Hot Lake, with its wonders, a visit to which well repays the fatigues of a few days' travelling through New Zealand rush and swamps. *
It is one of the smallest of the lakes of the district, scarcely exceeding in length three-quarters of a mile from north to south, and in width a quarter of a mile. I hardly believe that this small, dull-green lake with its swampy borders, and the surrounding barren and misreable-looking hills, which are destitute of trees, and only covered with fern, would come up to the expectation of the traveller, who has heard so much of its wonders. That which makes it the most remarkable of all the lakes of New Zealand, nay even the most remarkable of all spots of the earth, lies mostly hidden from the view of the new arrival - except the immense clouds of steam which rise everywhere - which leads to the supposition that in reality nothing is to be seen.

* The journey from Auckland is generally made in from one to two days by sea at Tauranga with a favourable wind. From Tauranga one can arrive in two days at Tarawera and Roto-mahana Lake, either direct or by Maketu - both roads equally bad. The return can be made over the Patetere plateau to Waikato River, and from this by canoe to Mangatawhiri, whence the Great South Road leads to Auckland.