[Illustration: KING TAWHIAO.] THE KING COUNTRY; OR, EXPLORATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND. _A NARRATIVE OF 600 MILES OF TRAVEL THROUGH MAORILAND._ BY J.H. KERRY-NICHOLLS. [Illustration: THE AUTHOR.] WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND A MAP. _SECOND EDITION._ London: SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON, SEARLE, & RIVINGTON, CROWN BUILDINGS, 188, FLEET STREET. 1884 [_All rights reserved._] THIS WORK IS DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO SIR GEORGE GREY, K.C.B., F.R.S., WHOSE CAREER AS GOVERNOR, STATESMAN, ORATOR, AUTHOR, AND EXPLORER, HAS SHED LUSTRE UPON THE HISTORY OF AUSTRALASIA. PREFACE. In publishing this record of travel, I have deemed it advisable to arrange my narrative under four principal divisions. In the introductory portion I refer to the leading physical features of that part of the North Island of New Zealand known as the King Country, relate the leading incidents connected with its history, describe the condition of the native race, and explain the object with which my journey was undertaken. The succeeding chapters deal with my visit to the Maori King when presenting my credentials from Sir George Grey at the tribal gathering held at Whatiwhatihoe in October, 1882. The description of the Lake Country includes my route from Tauranga, on the East Coast, to Wairakei, and which led me through the marvellously interesting region familiarly termed the Wonderland of New Zealand, while in the pages embracing my explorations in the King Country I record events as they occurred from day to day over a lengthy journey which was delightful on account of its novelty and variety, and exciting by reason of the difficulties, both as regards natural obstacles inseparable from the exploration of an unknown region under the unfavourable conditions by which I was constrained to carry it out, and the deep-rooted jealousy of the native race against the intrusion of Europeans into a portion of the island which is considered by them to be exclusively Maori territory.