Request preferred by the Colonial Government to have the coal-fields of the Drury District thoroughly examined by the geologists of the _Novara_.--Geographical remarks concerning New Zealand.--Auckland.--The Aborigines or Maori.--A Mass meeting.-- Maori legends.--Manners and customs of the Aborigines.--The Meri-Meri.--Most important of the vegetable esculents of the Aborigines before the arrival of the Europeans.--Dr. Thomson's anthropological investigations.--Maori proverbs and poetry.--The present war and its origin.--The Maori king.--Decay of the native population and its supposed causes.--Advantages held out by New Zealand to European emigration.--Excursion to the Waiatarna valley.--Maori village of Oraki.--Kauri forests in the Manukau range.--Mr. Smith's farm in Titarangi.--St. John's College.--Intellectual activity in Auckland.--New Zealand silk.-- Excursion to the coal-fields of the Drury and Hunua Districts.-- New Year's Eve at the Antipodes.--Dr. Hochstetter remains in New Zealand.--The Catholic mission in Auckland.--Two Maories take service as seamen on board the _Novara_.--Departure.--The results of the explorations of the geologist during his stay at the island.--Crossing the meridian of 180° from West to East.-- The same day reckoned twice.--The sight of the islands of Tahiti and Eimeo.--Arrival in the harbour of Papeete. 93 CHAPTER XX. TAHITI. State of the island at the close of last century.--The London Missionary Society and its emissaries.--Great mortality among the native population.--First arrival of Catholic Priests in Oceania.--French Protectorate and its consequences.--The Tahitian Parliament and Tahitian debaters.--William Howe.--Adam Kulczycki.--Scientific aims and achievements.--The Catholic mission.--_Pré Catalan_ and native dances.--Prisoners of war from New Caledonia.--Point Venus.--Guava-fields.--The fort of Fautáua.--Lake Waiiria.--Popular _Fête_ at Faáa.--Ball given by the Governor.--Queen Pomáre.--Geographical notes on Tahiti and Eimeo.--Climate.--Vegetation.--The Kawa root, and the intoxicating drink produced from it.--Great expense of the French Stations in Oceania.--Projects of reform.--Results of English and French colonization.--Two Convicts.--Departure.--The Whaler _Emily Morgan_.--Attempt to fix the zero point of magnetic declination.--"Colique végétale."--A victim.--Pitcairn Island.--A fire-side tale of the tropical world.--An accident without ill results.--Humboldt's Current.--Arrival at Valparaiso. 199 CHAPTER XXI. VALPARAISO.