its close he
saved the remnant of the race from beggary by securing to them the large
tract of country which they now occupy. This left them still free and
independent, though as victors Sir George's government might have
confiscated all the native lands.

Sir George's home upon this spacious island, which he owns, is a most
delightful retreat, where he has gathered his household gods about him,
consisting of many books, works of art, and curiosities relating to
these islands. Here, surrounded by a pleasant family circle devoted to
his happiness, he has elected to live to the close of his life. He
formerly possessed a library which he had been many years in collecting
under peculiar advantages, and which numbered over ten thousand volumes,
mostly historical works. This collection he has recently presented to
the corporation of Auckland for the benefit of the public, and it has
been added to the Public Library of the city.

Shag Island is now a tropical garden, producing the fruits of all lands
and the flowers of all latitudes. Oranges, lemons, and bananas were seen
growing down to its very shores, while its sloping sides were covered
with palms, cocoanuts, and various tropical trees flourishing side by
side with those of hardier climes. Sir George is an enthusiastic
gardener, and has here met with phenomenal success in the
acclimatization of plants, trees, fruits, and flowers of all regions.
There is a peculiar tree which thrives on the seaward side of this
island, named by the Maoris _pokutukawa_, which signifies, "wet in the
ocean's spray." It bears a profusion of crimson flowers; but both its
roots and its willow-like boughs seek the water with a very obvious
natural inclination, and to them adhere the sweet little oysters native
to the Hauraki Gulf. Thus it has been said, half in fable and half in
truth, that the trees in New Zealand bear oysters!

What a change has come over this island, which not long ago was covered
with a tangled forest, making one of the special strongholds of the
aborigines! It was the aggressive tribe of Momona that so long and so
successfully held Shag Island, whence their chief made daring raids upon
the mainland to keep his larder supplied with the flesh of his enemies.
At last, however, the tribes of the mainland joined together and
attacked the island in a body, putting its thousand defenders to the
sword; and after feasting long upon their bodies, the successful
invaders returned to