Chapter XIX: Auckland

Request preferred by the Colonial Government to have the
coal-fields of the Drury District thoroughly examined by the
geologists of the _Novara_.--Geographical remarks concerning New
Zealand.--Auckland.--The Aborigines or Maori.--A Mass meeting.--
Maori legends.--Manners and customs of the Aborigines.--The
Meri-Meri.--Most important of the vegetable esculents of the
Aborigines before the arrival of the Europeans.--Dr. Thomson's
anthropological investigations.--Maori proverbs and poetry.--The
present war and its origin.--The Maori king.--Decay of the
native population and its supposed causes.--Advantages held out
by New Zealand to European emigration.--Excursion to the
Waiatarna valley.--Maori village of Oraki.--Kauri forests in the
Manukau range.--Mr. Smith's farm in Titarangi.--St. John's
College.--Intellectual activity in Auckland.--New Zealand silk.--
Excursion to the coal-fields of the Drury and Hunua Districts.--
New Year's Eve at the Antipodes.--Dr. Hochstetter remains in New
Zealand.--The Catholic mission in Auckland.--Two Maories take
service as seamen on board the _Novara_.--Departure.--The
results of the explorations of the geologist during his stay at
the island.--Crossing the meridian of 180 deg. from West to East.--
The same day reckoned twice.--The sight of the islands of Tahiti
and Eimeo.--Arrival in the harbour of Papeete. 93