Page:Overland Journey of the Governor of New Zealand.djvu/9

Rh The country between Wellington and Napier has now for several years been occupied by pastoral and agricultural settlers; and the few Maoris resident among them, belonging chiefly to the clans of the Ngatiawa and Ngatikahungunu, are well affected to the Government, and live on the most friendly terms with their white neighbours.

A good carriage road has already been completed northwards from Wellington to Masterton, a distance of some 70 miles, and from Napier southwards to Porangahau, about 80 miles, and coaches carrying mails and passengers run regularly to and from those places. The gap between Masterton and Porangahau does not exceed 90 miles, and will be filled up ere long, as roads are being pushed on steadily in all the settled districts in accordance with a well-considered plan.

As the Governor had already seen much of the country between Wellington and Napier, and as there was no public object to be gained by travelling overland in this part of his journey, he proceeded by sea in the Government steamer "Luna," leaving Wellington on the 2nd April, and, after a stormy passage, reaching Napier on the evening of the 3rd.

His Excellency remained here during the 4th and 5th, visiting the public institutions in the town and the neighbouring "kaingas," or villages, of Pakowhai and Waiohiki. The large sums paid to the natives as rents by the pastoral settlers (amounting lately to £26,000 a year), as well as the produce of land sales (all divided among about 200 Maori families) have enabled the native chiefs near Napier to build good houses in