Page:Notes on New Zealand (1892).pdf/51

Rh from a variety of afflictions, though not greatly resorted to, as they lie in a district chiefly inhabited by natives and earthquakes.

The North Island is well watered, the snow-capped mountains keeping well supplied the numerous rivers which flow through the fertile districts to the coast. The centre of the island being chiefly at a higher elevation than the land lying near the sea, it forms one large watershed for all the surrounding country. A traveller might complain of want of inhabitants, but he could not complain of want of water. This is another all important advantage which