this fact which first drew to New
Zealand the attention of European traders. Hence come the famous kauri
spars, or ship-timber, the best for this special purpose which can be
found in any land. The kauri-tree belongs to the pine family, yet is
quite distinct from all other conifers, bearing a lance-shaped tapering
leaf, and growing to great heights. It is only too well known, however,
that the activity of this export trade is fast denuding these grand
kauri-forests.

The isthmus upon which the city of Auckland is built is undoubtedly one
of the most remarkable volcanic districts in the world, though the
agency of subterranean fires is visible enough to the eye of the
traveller all over New Zealand. Mount Tongariro, six thousand feet in
height, is even now in constant activity, with occasional vigorous
outbursts. The violent earthquakes which occur in both the North and
South Islands cause alternate depressions and elevations. The severest
modern earthquake took place so late as 1855, raising the coast-line
four feet higher for many miles. As in the peninsula of Scandinavia, we
here find a grand longitudinal mountain range extending from the extreme
of the South Island through the Auckland district to the far north,
forming a backbone, as it were, to the country. We were told that within
a radius of ten miles from the centre of Auckland there are sixty-three
volcanic cones, or points, in this range where eruptions have taken
place. These hills vary in height from two to seven hundred feet; each
of them was fortified and occupied by native tribes a century ago, the
highest of all being Mount Eden, close to the present town. On this
there are abundant evidences still left of the native fortification; but
of the large Maori population that once covered the peninsula, and lived
securely in these _pahs_, or fortified villages, not a soul remains.

Auckland is spread over a large territory; its villa-like houses, each
with a pretty garden attached (except in the business section), cover
the sloping hillside and valley from the foot of Mount Eden to the
waters of the bay. Queen Street is the main thoroughfare of the town,--a
broad avenue extending from the wharves to the suburbs, lined with a
rather motley collection of buildings, some of which, however, are large
and have fair architectural pretensions. There are upon this street a
dozen or more fine stone buildings occupied by banks, insurance offices,
warehouses, and some v