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140 been drowned, there has not been one serious accident to any passenger. This is the only road from East to West across the Southern Alps, in many ways, I imagine, as difficult, and as remarkable in its grandeur, as the St. Gothard Pass.

Now for an incident which illustrates the chivalrous character of the Maori race. Some time ago, I saw from my study window three Maories approaching the house on horseback. They proved to be a sort of deputation from the tribe at Arahura. Inviting them to enter, I waited for their communication, with due regard to Maori etiquette, which deals with any matter of grave importance with the utmost deliberation. One of them was their Chief, Ihaia Tainui, a man of recognized birth, and also of personal influence, as their representative in the Legislature, and Trustee for the moneys due to them from the rental of their reserves, appointed by Government; a specially fine specimen of a Maori, able to talk English, and the chief Lay-reader in the Church at Arahura. After due preliminaries, I came to the point by asking Tainui the purpose of their visit. He stood up and replied, the others watching him with much attention, and silently assenting to all his statements.

"Arikona, this is the matter on which we have come. Last week some Maories arrived at Arahura, having ridden over the hills from Kaiapoi for a visit to our tribe; at night it was bright moonlight, and as I have a paddock of oats nearly ripe, enclosed by a rough fence, and I was afraid that their horses, if loose, might break in and do damage, I warned them to be careful to tether their animals. A noise awoke me in the night, and, looking out, I saw three horses in my oats. In my anger I seized the first thing that