CHAPTER IX.

THE SUBURBS OF AUCKLAND.--EXTINCT VOLCANOES.--MAORI FORTIFICATIONS.--A KAURI FOREST.--KAURI LUMBER AND GUM.--HOW THE GUM IS FORMED AND FOUND.--TREES OF NEW ZEALAND AND THEIR VALUE.--FERNS AND THEIR VARIETY.--A PAKKHA MAORI: HIS REMINISCENCES.--CURIOUS NATIVE CUSTOMS.--BUYING HEADS.--SALE OF A LIVING MAN'S HEAD.--THE LAW OF MURU.--NEW ZEALAND BIRDS.--THE GIGANTIC MOA, OR DINORNIS.--NATIVE WEDDINGS.-- KAWAU ISLAND.--SHARK-FISHING.--OYSTERS.--VISITING THE THAMES GOLD-FIELDS.--SIGHTS AND SCENES.--GOLD-MINING IN NEW ZEALAND.--POPULATION OF THE COLONY.--ENCOURAGEMENT TO IMMIGRATION.--JOURNEY TO THE HOT LAKES.--CLIMATE OF NEW ZEALAND. 198