Kaipara they are more numerous and extensive still. The low-lying swampy flats on the Wairoa River, south of Tokatoka, elevated but little above tidal flow, are bounded to the east by a distinct old coast line, which, in its southerly extension towards Otamatea, shows signs of having been an ocean coast line before the barriers of consolidated sand-hills forming the north and south Kaipara heads were in existence. The origin of these, however, dates further back than since the 15 feet elevation. Manukau has its raised beaches, as also its signs of local depression as demonstrated by the tree trunks standing in places now washed by the tide. Hockstetter, describing the long, low strip of sandy waste lying outside the north head of Manukau, says:—“Behind the sandy beach basins of fresh water are frequently found, and at the base of the rooks deep caves are seen washed out, in the back ground of which generally large masses of boulders are deposited. This would indicate a former period, when the surge washed the rocks themselves and piled up those masses.” Captain Hutton, also speaking of the north head, says:—“On the inner or eastern side of Paretutai the cliff is being undermined or worn away at low water-mark, while at high water-mark, or at a little above it, another and older undermining of the sea can be observed forming a terrace, the difference of height between the two being about 10 feet, showing that the land has risen that distance since the higher one was formed. This closely corresponds to the height of the raised beach at the Thames, on which Shortland and Grahamstown are built. On the outer or western side of Paretutai a similar terracing exists.” * * * I would add that this inner terrace now forms a most convenient natural wharf for shipping the timber from the Whatipu saw-mills. To one standing on the bald hills near Mauku, and looking over the swampy tract lying between there and the Waikato heads, the steep hills abruptly terminating in the swamp, with their indented and sweeping contour line, present the appearance of a well-worn coast line from which the sea has receded, leaving the former bay to be filled with alluvium before the river cut its way down to its present level. Hockstetter says, in reference to the mouth of the Waikato:—“It is remarkable that at the mouth of the Waikato there is not an estuary similar to that at Manukau, Kaipara, and Hokianga in the north, or as at Whaingaroa, Aotea, and Kawhia in the south. With regard to this point, I have repeatedly heard the opinion expressed that the Waikato River had formerly emptied into the Manukau, and that its present mouth is comparatively of recent date; yet I cannot corroborate this opinion. I believe myself right in assuming that the river also had in former periods a similar estuary, and that the extensive swamps beginning two miles from the mouth and now partly